FAQs

Every year, over 2000 New Zealanders suffer a Sudden Cardiac Arrest out of hospital. Currently, only 4% of these patients receive defibrillation and only 13% of victims survive. In contrast, overseas where there is more public access to AEDs, survival rates are as high as 60-70%.

CPR can help, but the most effective treatment for a SCA victim is prompt defibrillation. Every minute that passes without defibrillation, after a victim has suffered a SCA, the probability of survival decreases by 7-10%. Prompt defibrillation can improve a victim’s probability of survival by up to 70%. 

When a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) occurs, the victim’s heart goes into ventricular fibrillation. This is when the electrical function of the heart is affected and begins spasming, where it is unable to effectively pump blood around the body. A defibrillator delivers an electrical shock to the victim’s heart to attempt restoration of normal heart function.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) occurs when the electrical rhythm that controls the heart malfunctions and is replaced by a chaotic, uncoordinated electrical spasm called ventricular fibrillation. This can be caused by a variety of heart defects or disease, or a life-threatening event such as drowning. The heart will twitch rapidly and becomes unable to pump blood around the body.

There is often no prewarning of a SCA, the victim will feel pain in the chest region and then rapidly lose consciousness. They may also turn blue and stop breathing, the pulse will be very light or undetectable. If not treated with a shock from a defibrillator within minutes, it quickly leads to death.

A victim’s chance of surviving drops by 7-10% for every minute a normal heartbeat isn’t restored. After just 10 minutes, the chances of survival are less than 1%.

This is why it is vital that we work together to provide more public access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). 

A Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is not to be confused with a heart attack. In a heart attack, the victim will often remain conscious and able to talk. A heart attacked occurs when the blood supply to the heart muscle is restricted or blocked, causing part of the muscle to die. A heart attack is a circulation problem, whereas a Sudden Cardiac Arrest is an electrical problem. A high percentage of people will survive a heart attack with appropriate treatment. 

Less than 1% of people are successfully resuscitated using CPR alone, and they tend to be people who have drowned or have hypothermia. A Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is an electrical fault of the heart and therefore requires and interruption to the electrical current in order to restart the normal heart function. CPR is useful in keeping blood moving to the brain and extends the survival time of the victim, however the only effective treatment for a SCA is prompt defibrillation.  

Having some basic first aid training is ideal, however our defibrillators are designed with the ability to be used by any responder. Both trained and untrained AED users clearly understand how to begin using the device. The defibrillators have clear diagrams and loud audible instructions which will talk to responder through the steps required to provide defibrillation. 

Yes, anyone can use an AED. A study conducted in Washington, USA demonstrated that untrained eleven-year old children were able to follow the instructions given by a defibrillator and administer a shock within 90 seconds. A trained responder could administer a shock faster and provide better quality CPR, but the key functions of a defibrillator can be used by nearly anyone.

All of our defibrillator models have a 4-year battery capacity. Once your devices batteries have reached the end of their life, the unit will perform certain procedures that will alert you of the need for replacement.

For HeartSine models: 

• Readiness indicator light will not be illuminated or flashing red, indicating a failed self-check

For Lifepak models:

• Readiness indicator light will not be illuminated 

• A beep will sound every 15 minutes from the device

• An email notification will be sent to the designated email, notifying that the battery requires replacement (Lifepak CR2 Connected model ONLY). 

If you have an issue with your device, please contact our Customer Services Team on 0800 115 937.                                                                                       

No. Both of our defibrillator models contain single use electrode pads which must be disposed of after an emergency event. It is important that you replace your AED electrode pads as soon as possible so that your AED is always ready for a SCA event. 

Pads can be disposed of in general waste bins. 

Science shows that not all sudden cardiac arrest victims are able to be resuscitated with the first shock, and over half of all victims require multiple shocks. Research shows that for those who require multiple shots, 360 joules improves shock success. Compared with other models available that have a reduced shock delivery capacity of 200J or less, a Lifepak AED provides the highest shock delivery possible.