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Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. It strikes approximately 340,000 people in the United States every year and the majority of these people don't have any warning signs. The national survival rate for SCA is less than 5% because unfortunately, emergency medical services cannot reach them in time. The victim's greatest chance of survival is to receive a shock from a defibrillator within five minutes of collapse. With a portable on-site defibrillator, the chance of survival greatly increases - the American Heart Association believes that an additional 40,000 lives could be saved with the use of on-site defibrillators.
 | | The Heart Start Onsite Defibrillator is now available at all Wright & Filippis facilities. |
Many of us learned of the life-saving capabilities of an on-site defibrillator when, during a recent Detroit Red Wings hockey game, one of the players required its use after suffering from cardiac arrest. When SCA strikes, the heart stops beating effectively. The person loses consciousness due to lack of proper blood flow, stops breathing, and will die unless treated. A shock from a defibrillator is the most effective way to restore the heart's normal rhythm.
Wright & Filippis is proud to offer the Philips Heart Start On-Site defibrillator at all of its facilities. They are available for purchase by anyone - there is no need for a prescription. The Philips Heart Start is designed for easy use by anyone. Weighing only 3.3 pounds and equipped with a long-life (4-year) battery, it is fully portable. The Heart Start has clear voice instructions to guide the user through the process. The voice instructions are paced to the user's actions every step of the way, from placing pads on the patient to delivering a shock.
The Heart Start determines if a shock is needed, based on automated assessment of the victim's heart rhythm. If a shock is needed, the defibrillator instructs the user to press the flashing orange "Shock" button. If a shock is not necessary, the defibrillator instructs you to assess the patient and perform CPR when necessary. The voice instructions can also coach the user on the frequency and depth of chest compressions for CPR.
Additionally, the Heart Start Onsite Defibrillator is designed for use on anyone, including children and infants.
Wright & Filippis also recommends taking a CPR course when purchasing a Heart Start Onsite Defibrillator. Please visit the American Red Cross' website (www.redcross.org) or the American Heart Association's website (www.americanheart.org) for CPR courses in your area. Contact your nearest Wright & Filippis facility if you're interested in purchasing a Philips Heart Start Onsite Defibrillator or if you have any questions.
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