When it comes to saving lives, few medical devices are as effective as AEDs, or automated external defibrillators. This explains why AED sales have skyrocketed in the U.S over the past decade. In the year 2010, for example, industry experts reported nearly 100,000 automated external defibrillators AEDs were sold. Moreover, they predicted the market for defibrillators for sale would double every 24 months.
To understand why have AED sales have increased so dramatically, consider the following statistics:
- Each year, the number of sudden cardiac arrests exceeds all the incidents of breast cancer, prostate cancer and house fires combined.
- Few medical interventions are as inexpensive to implement and as successful at saving lives as early defibrillation.
- AEDs are very safe because they can’t shock anyone who does not need to be shocked.
- If a cardiac arrest victim is shocked with a defibrillator within the first minute of collapse, the chances for survival are close to 90%.
- Victims of sudden cardiac arrest who collapse in public places are more likely than those who collapse at home to receive CPR and defibrillation.
Medical professionals now understand that in order for electrical therapy to be effective, it must be delivered within 5 minutes of a sudden cardiac arrest. Otherwise, the victim’s chances of survival significantly decrease. However, emergency medical responders often can’t reach the scene of an emergency within that critical timeframe. Which makes the case for having an AED in as many workplaces and public locations as possible.
Fortunately, learning to use an AED is simple and intuitive. Formal training on defibrillators for sale can be accomplished in less than a day. And in many cases, untrained rescuers have used AEDs successfully in emergency situations. As long as these devices remain effective in treating sudden cardiac arrest, AED sales will continue to increase.
