Physio Control Lifepak CR2 Defibrillator, making saving lives easier

When someone suffers a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) it can be daunting for those around them. Having an easy-to-use defibrillator can speed up the delivery of a shock, increases the chance of survival and enables the person performing CPR to do so effectively and with confidence. Physio Control Lifepak CR2 Defibrillator has the technology to do this.

Bold visual instructions and QUICK-STEP pads have been designed to cut the time required before a shock can be administered. Alongside this the CR2 defibrillator uses ClearVoice technology, which automatically adjusts the volume of the instructions according to the environment you are in, ensuring that you can always hear the guidance from the defibrillator. The unit gives clear audible coaching with a metronome to help you keep up the recommended pace for effective CPR. Physio Control have considered diverse work environments, too. The dual language capability will ensure that all staff can clearly understand the instructions given.

The child mode offered means that you don’t need to worry about changing pads, saving valuable time in an emergency. At the touch of a button the Physio Control Lifepak CR2 will automatically reduce the shock level for use on a child under the age of 8 years with the same pads that you would use for an adult.

Physio Control’s innovative Lifepak CR2 features CPR Insight™ technology that can analyse the patient’s heart rhythm while CPR is being performed, meaning that the ‘hands off’ time is greatly reduced, helping to maintain the circulation of blood.

Unlike other defibrillators the CR2 also offers LIFELINKcentral, an AED Program Manager which monitors each device. Connected by Wi-Fi or via mobile network you can receive alerts about anything that could affect the readiness of your defibrillator, such as low battery warning or replacement of pads. You can also set up an alert to inform you 3, 6 or 9 months prior to your electrodes requiring replacement so you will never be without a defibrillator that is ready to be used in the event of an SCA.

Basic LIFELINKcentral AED Programme Manager access is included as standard with each LIFEPAK CR2 defibrillator at no extra cost. For an additional £1604.00 ex VAT for a 4 year licence you can upgrade to the ‘Track Account’ this will allow you to manage up to 50 units. Additional features include: A dedicated account support representative, post event reports and free premium software upgrades.

Visit our website to place an order or to find out more about the Physio Control Lifepak CR2. Alternatively, you can contact our friendly sales and support staff by calling 0800 612 6304 or sending an email to support@thedefibpad.co.uk

Sport, Cardiac Arrest and the Need for Defibrillators

footballIn March 2012, an incident during a televised football match shone a light on the trauma of sudden cardiac arrest. In an FA Cup tie between Tottenham Hotspur and Bolton Wanderers, at White Hart Lane, Bolton’s 23 year old midfielder, Fabrice Muamba, suddenly collapsed on the pitch. Thousands in the ground and millions more at home watched in horror as medics ran onto the pitch and spent many minutes trying to revive him.

Despite ultimately spelling the end of a successful career as a professional footballer, thanks to the quick responses of the team doctors who used an AED (automated external defibrillator) and the assistance of a Tottenham fan and consultant cardiologist who ran onto the pitch to help, he made made a slow, but almost full, recovery.

Others in the sport have not been so fortunate. Marc-Vivien Foé died whilst representing Cameroon in the 2003 FIFA Confederation Cup, Antonia Puerta collapsed and died whilst playing for Sevilla in a Spanish league game and Motherwell’s Phil O’Donnell collapsed during a Scottish league game and died later in hospital.

Thankfully these incidents are rare, but they do raise the question of whether participation in sport raises the risk of SCD (sudden cardiac death). A study made in 2003 suggests an increased risk of sudden cardiac death of almost three times for athletes compared to their non-athletic counterparts whilst more recent data suggests the opposite.

  • The difference between cardiac arrest and heart attack is not always understood. A cardiac arrest is a sudden ‘electrical’ malfunction of the heart. An AED may be used to ‘jump start’ the heart in the event of such an incident. A heart attack is caused by the arteries becoming blocked – a circulation problem – and may come on more gradually. However, a heart attack can trigger a cardiac arrest.

Studies around the world

On average, every three days in the United States a competitive athlete experiences an SCD, and many of these deaths receive publicity nationally. However, this same focus is not applied to a non-athlete or indeed to a competitive athlete who has SCD off the athletic field. On the basis of reports in the media it would appear that SCD deaths in athletes are much more common than in non-athletes. However, the data supporting such a claim has limitations.

A study in Hamburg, Germany found that around 0.3% of the fatalities subjected to an autopsy between 1997 and 2006 were identified as sports related. In Denmark a study of competitive athletes between the ages of 12 and 35 in the years 2000-2006 found 15 cases of SCD during, or within one hour of a sporting activity. This was a rate that was more than three times lower than that of the general population.

Thus the data from these studies is inconclusive. It is not always clearly recorded as to whether casualties were in fact athletes and distinctions have not always been made between competitive athletes and those carrying out recreational athletic activity.

There is insufficient evidence, for example, to determine whether a so-called ‘non-athlete’ might have engaged in what could be determined as athletic activity shortly before their death –for example jogging to keep fit. Much of the existing data is limited by its observational nature.

Sudden deaths during marathon running attract much media attention due to their rarity and unpredictability. The London Marathon, one of the largest in the world, now attracts around 40,000 participants. In its 35-year history, 14 participants have died. Research into marathons have given result that the likelihood of a fatality is somewhere between 0.0005 and 0.002% of runners. Interestingly one study in 2012 found that runners below the age of 40 were up to seven times as likely to die as those in the older age bracket. This is because older runners were more likely to have ischemic heart disease (narrowing or blockage) of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, a condition that’s more responsive to resuscitation.

If athletes who die suddenly had advanced cardiac disease, they would have most likely been at high risk of dying unexpectedly, whether or not they had exercised. A number of studies have attempted to determine whether or not exercise increases the risk that persons with advanced heart disease will die suddenly during exercise rather than at rest. Some have found that moderate exercise does not increase the risk of sudden death, whereas others have found that more vigorous forms of exercise greatly increase the risk of sudden death.

Screening

The interest in athletic sudden death arises in part from both the prominence of sport across the world and the apparent contradiction that physical activity can have both a positive and negative impact on a person’s health. It is apparent that strong exertion increases the risk of SCD in individuals with cardiovascular disease.

CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) is a charity that believes that proactive cardiac screening is vitally important and should be accessible to all young people aged 14-35. It reports that every week in the UK, around 12 people under the age of 35 die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition. 80% of these deaths will occur with no prior symptoms, which is why the organisation backs screening so passionately. In itself, sport does cause sudden cardiac death, but it is believed that it can significantly increase a person’s risk if they have an underlying condition.
However, scanning only detects 60-80% of conditions. For example, Bolton footballer Fabrice Muamba had been screened three times but still suffered a cardiac arrest when he was playing.

In April 2016 the British Medical Journal (BMJ) published research data produced by the Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre that cast severe doubt upon the wisdom of carrying out screening. It set out the belief that the harms outweighed any benefits and that there is no strong evidence that it actually prevents deaths. However the conclusions reached were strongly criticised by professors from the University of Padova, Italy.

In Italy a national screening program with ECGs, stress tests, and selective use of echocardiograms has been performed since 1982 and has been associated with a decrease in fatalities. The basis of the program is the belief that athletes are higher risk of SCD than other members of the population and as a result 2% of athletes were excluded from sporting participation. In the response published on the BMJ website the Italian professors stated that “the systematic pre-participation evaluation, coupled with sports restriction, resulted in a decline in SCD among screened athletes from 3.6 per 100 000 person-years in the two years before screening implementation to 0.4 per 100 000 person years two decades later.

Further research is needed to assess both the physical and emotional results of restricting athletic activity and the effect of athletic screening programs. It is very possible that a significant number of athletes could be needlessly restricted from taking part in sport due to being incorrectly assessed as having a cardiac condition that could result in SCD.

The need for defibrillators

defib-thumb-132No matter how closely one studies the statistics, a cardiac arrest remains an unpredictable event. For this reason the increasing prevalence of AEDs in public places is a very welcome. It remains true that a cardiac arrest outside of hospital and with no trained people nearby, results in a survival rate of just 6%. If there is a defibrillator to hand this rises to around 60%.

To return to the story of the Bolton Wanderers footballer Fabrice Muamba whose life was saved with the aid of an AED: since his collapse he has been involved in a number of campaigns to get more defibrillators into public places.

“If it wasn’t for a defibrillator I wouldn’t be here today, he said, “I was lucky. I had my cardiac arrest in the right place with the best medics around to help me. I want everyone who goes into cardiac arrest to have the same chance as me and that’s why I’m supporting the London Ambulance Service campaign to get more defibrillators in public places.”

He helped launch the campaign to get 1,000 of the machines into shops, businesses and gyms.

Defibrillators are now standard equipment at most professional football grounds and they are increasingly finding their way into sports centres. There are several charities that help to place defibrillators in schools and sports clubs, including Lucky2Bhere and Hand on Heart, while the National Sports First Aid course is ideal for coaches and teachers to learn CPR.

Sadly, on consecutive days in September 2016, the BBC website reported the sudden death of two footballers whilst playing in matches. One, a 24 year old was formerly on the books of Hull City but playing in the Northern Premier League. The other was a former West African international who was playing in the French Cup.

Whilst the correlation between SCD and athletic exercise continues to be researched, attention is being focused on the steps that are being taken to address cardiac arrests when they occur. One lesson that is being learnt is that every effort should be made to ensure that defibrillators are readily available in as many public places as possible.

HSE – Changes in Legislation

From 31st December 2016 the HSE is making changes to the syllabus for EFAW (Emergency First Aid at Work) and FAW (First Aid at Work) first aid training. Under this new revision all workplace first aiders will be required to have had some form of training in the use of automated external defibrillators (AED). So what does this mean?

If you are a training provider you will need to ensure that your syllabus is updated and that from 31st December you include training on defibrillators and assess the skills of course participants in the use of AEDs. Although there is no necessity to adopt this change prior to the end of December, training providers may find that it is advantageous to offer this updated training as soon as possible. Many workplaces are already looking at ensuring their staff attend refresher courses that include this new requirement.

To help you as a first aid training provider to be able to implement the changes as smoothly as possible we have developed a trainer equipment kit. This will provide you will all the essentials to be able to demonstrate and allow participation from delegates on your course, giving them the confidence to use these new skills in the future should the need arise.

SAM 500P Trainer Special OfferThe SAM 500P Trainer unit comes supplied with a remote control, giving you as the trainer full control over the simulation of the unit. Being able to remotely select from six different scenarios will give attendees the best training experience possible. This trainer unit does everything a real defibrillator does except it cannot administer a shock. Providing a learning experience that replicates that of the real life event will build trainees’ confidence and retention of the skills, maximising their effectiveness in the time of need. The kit also includes a preparation kit so that course delegates can really practice what they would do in the event of someone in their workplace suffering from a cardiac arrest, from cutting clothing to free the chest and also chest preparation.

Act now and take advantage of our introductory offer, order your trainer kit before 31st December 2016 and receive a 10% discount by quoting Defib16 at checkout.

For further information call 0800 612 6304 or visit our HeartSine SAM 500p Trainer Special Offer.

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in Schools

In November 2014, the Department for Education published a set of guidelines relating to purchasing, installing and maintaining an automated external defibrillator (AED) in local authority maintained schools and academies. These guidelines were updated in October 2015 and provide invaluable help to describe what an AED is, why and when it is needed, and correct location and installation.
The Department for Education is encouraging all schools to purchase defibrillators as part of their first aid equipment. Their guide outlines a list of recommended minimum specifications that schools should look for when making their own purchasing arrangements, covering various aspects including the defibrillator’s environmental features, warranty period, facilities and accessories. The Defib Pad offers a wide range of units that comply with the majority of the listed specifications, including the two defibrillator models that are specifically recommended by the Department for Education:
Philips-FRx

Philips HeartStart FRx Defibrillator – robust design and manufactured by one of the largest electronics manufacturers.

Mediana-hearton-a15-defibrillator

Mediana HeartOn A15 Defibrillator – features a unique patient mode switch to easily alter defibrillation treatment for adults or paediatric patients without having to change pads or use a separate infant/child key.

A copy of the guidelines can be seen in the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/466876/AED_guide_for_schools.pdf

The guidelines have been developed as an information tool only and advise that the “information provided is not definitive as decisions relating to the purchase and installation of AEDs are entirely for schools to determine.”
Should you require any further advice regarding defibrillators, accessories or training services, please visit our website: www.thedefibpad.co.uk or call 0800 612 6304 where we will be happy to assist.

Hillmorton Old Boy’s FC reach goal of defibrillator with help from The Defib Pad

defib-full

In December 2013 Mark Lawrence, then manager of Hillmorton Old Boy’s FC, died whilst playing for the team. This tragic event deeply affected Mark’s family and everyone involved with the football club. Mark appeared fit and healthy but suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during a game.

To pay tribute to Marks’s life and as a lasting memorial to him, his wife, Joanne, started to raise money to purchase a defibrillator. Had the club owned a defibrillator at the time, Mark would have had a substantially greater chance of survival. Every minute that a cardiac arrest victim is not treated with a controlled shock from a defibrillator their chances of survival reduce by 10%.

Joanne said “we decided to raise funds to purchase a defib to have at every game with us. We had lots of people help us raise money. My sister did the wolf run, we had donations at Mark’s celebration of life and we had a BBQ, but we just could not reach our target we raised £850 and needed £1078.80.”

The Defib Pad received a call from Joanne explaining that she had raised £850 and that she desperately wanted to purchase a defibrillator for the Hillmorton Old Boy’s Football Club in memory of her husband. After hearing her story and that she had contacted lots of companies asking for support, we decided to step in and bridge the gap of £228 for her. “I rang round lots of companies but no help was offered, till finally The Defib Pad offered to help by donating the deficit. Not only have the Defib Pad helped us to own a defibrillator, they have also provided members of the team with training which is vital in a life or death emergency.” Joanne commented “We will forever be thankful.”

Harry Dewick-Eisele, MD of The Defib Pad said “It gives us great pleasure to know that we have helped Joanne reach her goal and that the club now not only have a lasting memory of their past manager, Mark Lawrence, but that they also have a lifesaving piece of kit at their club.”

Special Offer for June Only – DON’T MISS OUT!

HeartSine Samaritan PAD 500PThe 1st of June sees not only the start of National Heart Rhythm Week, but also the launch of The Defib Pad’s amazing AED (automated external defibrillator) special offer!
Available for one month only, The Defib Pad are giving away a FREE non-alarmed wall cabinet with every HeartSine Samaritan PAD 500P Defib when purchased between 1st-30th June 2015. This offer is additional to the benefits you receive as standard when purchasing a lifesaving AED from The Defib Pad:

– FREE standard delivery
– FREE reminder service
– Live online and telephone support

Why choose the HeartSine Samaritan PAD 500P Defib?
HeartSine achieved a technology breakthrough with the 500P public access defibrillator, combining semi-automatic operation with real-time CPR advisor technology. Capable of determining electronically through the defibrillation pads, whether your chest compressions are effective and with the appropriate force required for the individual. This is based on real cardiac output (blood flow) as opposed to compression pressure level, only.

The HeartSine Samaritan PAD 500P supports the rescuer throughout their lifesaving actions. Metronome “clicks” ensure the correct chest compression rhythm is maintained, whilst audible feedback tells the rescue to “push harder” or when they are providing “good compressions”. It has a simple interface design and clear visual prompts which make the Samaritan 500P easy to understand and to follow, even with the expected background noise during a panic situation.
So if you are thinking about buying an AED for a public area and are not sure which model to go for, contact The Defib Pad for friendly and professional advice. Make sure not to miss out on our fantastic June special offer, should you find the HeartSine Samaritan PAD 500P the defibrillator for you.
HeartSine automated external defibrillators have already saved 55* reported lifes in 2015.
*Latest figure correct on 29th May 2015

Highlighting Heart Rhythm Week 2015

Arrhythmia Alliance

The 1st to the 7th of June marks Heart Rhythm Week, which is a global event to raise awareness of the issues surrounding arrhythmia (heart rhythm problems). The Defib Pad is proud to join Arrhythmia Alliance in their effort to raise awareness of AEDs (automatic external defibrillators) and how they can save lives.

The NHS reports that over one million people a year experience arrhythmias in the UK alone. The report also states that sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) kills at least 100,000 people every year. Whilst these statistics may be shocking, they serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of raising awareness of arrhythmia, and more importantly the ways in which prompt and appropriate first aid can make a huge difference to the chances of survival.

Chances of surviving a sudden cardiac arrest is just 9% where CPR alone is administered to the patient. In cases where CPR is administered and an AED is used alongside this the chances of survival shoots up to 50%. As SCA happens without any warning to people of all ages there is a great need for the presence of AEDs in community places. More and more schools and shopping centres are installing AEDs in an attempt to reduce the number of people dying from sudden cardiac arrest each year.

Fully Automatic AEDs are designed to be used by a layperson, so the user does not need to have had extensive training. These units will only give the patient a shock if it is required. To increase the accessibility of an AED many communities are placing them in weatherproof cabinets.

If you are looking to purchase an AED read our information page for help and guidance. For every minute a cardiac arrest victim goes untreated, their chances of survival fall by 10%.

Sudden Cardiac Arrests & Heart Attacks – What’s The Difference?

The terms ‘cardiac arrest’ and ‘heart attack’ are often used whenever someone suffers anything heart related. But there is a big difference between the two; the causes, symptoms and treatment.

A sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occurs when the heart suffers an electrical malfunction which disrupts the natural rhythm. The heart doesn’t exactly stop, it enters a state of ‘fibrillation’ where it becomes erratic and usually the victim will lose consciousness almost immediately. While in a state of fibrillation, the heart cannot pump blood to the brain or lungs, etc. and death can occur within minutes. In cases like this a defibrillator is used which, contrary to how they are portrayed in TV/film, actually stops the heart (defibrillation). Once fibrillation is stopped, the bodies natural instinct is to restart the heart. More often than not it will need a little help in the form of CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

A heart attack is caused by a blocked artery preventing oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart. The symptoms of a heart attack can slowly build up over hours, days or week, or it can be quite sudden. The heart doesn’t stop during a heart attack, it continues trying to pump. If the artery isn’t unblocked quickly, the section of the heart being deprived of oxygenated blood will start to die. The longer the artery remains blocked without treatment, the greater the damage to the heart. Once the heart attack has been diagnosed, “clot buster” thrombolytic medicines can be used to dissolve blood clots that are blocking the artery or Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) employed which involves threading a thin flexible tube with a small balloon attached through a blood vessel and inflating it to re-open the artery.

While these two conditions are different, they are linked: a sudden cardiac arrest can occur after a heart attack or during the recovery period. Heart attacks are not always followed by an SCA but heart attacks are the common cause of sudden cardiac arrests.

In either event your first step is to call an ambulance as quickly as possible!

The Defib Pad launch

We are proud to announce the launch of The Defib Pad, your one stop shop for everything defib-related.

The aim of The Defib Pad is to help our customers choose the right defibrillator for their needs, provide useful and pertinent information about SCA (sudden cardiac arrest), provide training courses that will give you the knowledge and confidence to save a life with your new AED, and ensure that your defib is always ready for action.

We sell AEDs and AED training units from the world’s leading manufacturers, along with a complete range of spare and replacement consumables such as pads, batteries and responder kits. Defibrillators are expensive pieces of equipment, so we’ve also gathered together the best storage options available for AEDs, such as soft and hard cases, wall brackets and storage cabinets.

The Defib Pad offers FREE standard delivery on any order containing an AED and FREE replacement pads if you have to use your defib within the first 2 years.

We’re here to help YOU save lives.

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