An AED is a portable device (Automated External Defibrillator) that can deliver an electric shock to the heart in the event of life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. The defibrillator analyses the victim's heart rhythm and automatically determines whether a shock (electric shock) is necessary. The AED gives the command to start CPR with spoken text. The device guides you through heart massage and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. There are various types of CPR support, such as an LCD screen, spoken text and even real-time feedback (coaching CPR quality). The AED safely supports you through CPR until professional help arrives.

AED-Partner advises replacing an AED after 10 years. After the warranty period of 8 years has expired, the manufacturer can no longer guarantee proper functioning of the AED, even if it has never been used. The self-tests make the components weaker and increase the chance of a defect.

• The AED is a medical life-saving device
• Lifespan for the warranty period (8 years)
• Aging and external factors, such as temperature variations, moisture and sand or dirt can cause the reliability of the AED to decrease
• There is a risk that an AED will not function properly when used

It is an excellent initiative to give an AED a community function by placing it outside in a cabinet and making it available for saving a human life. If you have an AED, we recommend registering it at HartslagNu.nl. This is the (Dutch) network where both civilian emergency responders (burgerhulpverleners) and AEDs can be registered. This makes it possible to save a human life within 6 minutes.

A 6-minute zone is an area where help is offered within 6 minutes to a victim with a cardiac arrhythmia. When placing the AED (in an indoor or outdoor cabinet), ask yourself whether you can reach the device and then the victim within 6 minutes. You may have to install several AEDs within your company or municipality to ensure that you can always start CPR within 6 minutes.

As soon as a cardiac arrhythmia begins, your chance of survival decreases by about 10% every minute. That is why it is important to connect an AED within 6 minutes. In a 6-minute zone, civilian emergency responders (burgerhulpverleners) can provide the right assistance within 6 minutes. They call 112, start CPR and use an AED. This significantly increases the victim's chance of survival.

The AED is safe for anyone to use. The AED gives the rescuer step-by-step instructions to save a human life. In addition, the AED is so secure that a shock is only delivered if the device registers that this is necessary. This prevents the victim from receiving an unnecessary shock.

When someone has a cardiac arrhythmia, in about 70-80% of cases the cause is the result of an incoherent stimulus in the chambers of the heart. The heart does not completely stop but vibrates in a chaotic pattern and no longer contracts properly. This vibrating of the heart is also called ventricular fibrillation (vibration of the heart chambers). By applying chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, you provide oxygen to the brain. The only way to stop ventricular fibrillation is to give a shock (defibrillate) in time with an AED, so that the heart returns to a normal rhythm.

This supplies the heart, brain and other vital organs with oxygen and makes the heart more susceptible to defibrillation (stopping fibrillation by administering an electric shock).

During a course, you’ll learn how to recognize the common signs of a cardiac arrhythmia and how to use an AED. You’ll also learn how to give chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to the victim. It is also important to know when and how to call for professional help.

With this knowledge, you’ll be prepared for the moment you actually need an AED during CPR.

An AED helps save lives. If a person suddenly develops a cardiac arrhythmia, the heart rhythm becomes chaotic. Every minute that the heart is not beating decreases the chance of survival by 7% to 10%. This way you can already start with life-saving actions while the ambulance is still on its way.

Everyone can use an AED. These devices are designed to be intuitive and easy to use during CPR. It is advisable to follow annual CPR training so that you’re prepared if there is an emergency.

The IP rating is a code that indicates to what extent an AED is protected against dust and water. The first number indicates the degree of protection against dust and the second number indicates the protection against water. If the AED is used in the rain or near water, it is important that the device has at least an IPX4 rating. The AED then provides protection against splashing water.

The so-called real-time CPR feedback is a valuable addition for improving the quality of CPR. With real-time CPR feedback, the rescuer receives immediate spoken feedback on the depth and speed of the chest compressions. This increases the quality of the CPR, which increases the chances of survival even further.

A fully automatic AED automatically delivers a shock when needed. Pressing a button is no longer necessary. With a semi-automatic AED with a shock button, a rescuer must press the button. The downside is that someone may be hesitant to deliver the shock, therefore wasting valuable time. An AED with multiple buttons makes it more complex for a rescuer to use, with the risk of confusion and an incorrect response.

All AEDs in our range are approved according to European directives and can save a human life. There are many different types of AEDs available, each brand has its own specifications. Below are several things you should consider when buying an AED.

• Self-testing completeness: There are types of AEDs that perform complete self-tests that also test the functionality of the electrodes and not just their presence.
• CPR Feedback: where a rescuer is coached (feedback) by the AED during CPR on the depth and pace of the heart massages with spoken text and a metronome.
• Multilingualism: in places where not only Dutch is spoken, it may be important to have an AED that can also give instructions in another language.
• Asystole detection threshold: This is the sensitivity of the AED's analysis: the lower the number, the more intricate the heart rhythm that can be detected.
• IP rating: The IP rating is a code that indicates to what extent an AED is protected against dust and water.

AED stands for Automatic External Defibrillator.

The first responder sticks the two electrodes connected by a plug to the AED on the victim's chest. The defibrillator analyses the patient's heart rhythm and determines whether it is necessary to administer a shock to save the victim. Through voice instructions, the first responder is supported to save the victim's life.

An AED will only provide a shock when actually necessary. The device does not provide a shock if the heart is still working fine and, for example, the victim is unconscious or in cardiac arrest.

An AED is used in case of a cardiac arrhythmia. Both the left and right atriums (ventricles) are stimulated in a rapid and chaotic manner. This prevents the heart from contracting properly and the blood from circulating, thus depriving the vital organs of oxygen. An AED is able to provide a shock to restore normal cardiac rhythm.

The function of an AED is to effectively defibrillate after cardiac arrest (circulatory arrest). The differences between the AEDs can mainly be found in the support functions and user-dependent options. For a good guideline in your choice, the specific properties of the AEDs are shown on this site in the AED product information.

We can give you two tips as general advice:

Tip 1: Purchase a reliable brand

If you purchase an AED from one of the major brands, such as Philips, HeartSine, Mindray, Defibtech, Zoll, Cardiac Science, you can be sure that in the future you’ll also be able to easily access the parts that need to be replaced, such as batteries and electrodes. Of course, this also applies to service in the unlikely event of a malfunction.

Tip 2: Purchase from a reliable supplier

Virtually all brands and types of AED have had recalls and software updates in the past to ensure that the equipment continues to function. The larger AED suppliers have experience with this and will also inform you if something needs to be done with your AED. That is also their responsibility.

The most frequently asked question we get is still: 'Which AED should we purchase?' The choice can indeed be quite difficult due to the large selection. We advise you to contact the AED-Partner Service Center at +31 (0)499 49 00 16. We will be happy to help you!

No, an AED is not dangerous. An AED will only deliver a shock if the AED detects ventricular fibrillation. Delivering a shock to a person with a normal heart rhythm is therefore technically impossible.