Why should AED be popularized? What are the differences between AED and defibrillator?

Although AED has been receiving increasing attention and emphasis from more and more people, its popularity is still far from sufficient!

We often come across the terms "AED" or "automated external defibrillator" in news and information. So why not simply call it defibrillator? This is because AED and defibrillator are different. Although they are both used to perform electric shock defibrillation for patients with cardiac arrest, the differences are actually quite significant!

Now let's talk about what the differences are between them exactly?

1. Different positioning

The Automated External Defibrillator, abbreviated as AED, is a portable medical device designed for ordinary people to save the lives of patients with cardiac arrest in public places.

Defibrillator, also known as manual defibrillator or defibrillator monitor, have more configurations and functions than AED. For instance, what we often see on TV is doctors holding devices like electric irons when rescuing patients. Moreover, defibrillator is not as portable as AED.

2. Different user groups

Defibrillator must be used by trained professional medical staff.

AED can be used by medical staff, individuals who have received relevant first aid training and are qualified, or by ordinary people under the guidance of professionals.

3. The decision-makers of whether to administer electric shock are different

The built-in analysis program of the AED can automatically detect the heart rate of a person with cardiac arrest and give a prompt on whether an electric shock is needed, that is, whether to defibrillate the patient is determined by the AED.

Defibrillator, on the other hand, must be operated by doctors based on electrocardiogram indicators and their judgment of the patient's condition, which requires professional medical knowledge. This is also the biggest difference between an AED and a defibrillator.

4. The defibrillator has more comprehensive functions

The main function of an AED is defibrillation, which is divided into fully automatic and semi-automatic types. For a semi-automatic AED, the rescuer needs to click the defibrillation button to complete the action of releasing the electric shock. When the fully automatic AED detects a heart rhythm that requires defibrillation, it will automatically release an electric shock to complete defibrillation.

5. The usage processes are different

The operation of the AED is very simple. It is accompanied by voice prompts throughout the process. We do exactly as the AED says.

The defibrillator, on the other hand, is mainly composed of a monitoring section, an electrical cardioverter, electrode plates, batteries and other parts, and its usage method is more professional and complex. Different hospitals may even have different procedures.

6. Different usage scenarios

Defibrillator is device used by professional medical staff, and they are generally employed in hospitals, rescue sites after the arrival of professional emergency personnel, etc.

AED is widely used in various public places such as hospitals, subways, bus stations, airports, schools, shopping malls, large venues, parks and scenic spots. Their placement locations are also very easy to find, making it convenient to quickly locate and use them as soon as a patient falls to the ground.

7. Different prices

Defibrillator is expensive, usually 3 to 5 times more expensive than AED. Therefore, AED is more suitable for deployment in public places for pre-hospital emergency treatment.