Defibrillator Pads

Defibrillator pads are an intricate piece of a defibrillator.  A defibrillator works by sending an electrical impulse to the heart and restoring its regular heartbeat.  Defibrillators are often used on people with heart conditions that are at risk for an irregular heartbeat.  The defibrillator pads are the piece that extends from the defibrillator and is placed on the chest.  Without defibrillator pads, the defibrillator would not be able to fulfill its task and the machinery would be useless.

Types of Defibrillators with Defibrillator Pads - AED

The most common type of defibrillator that uses defibrillator pads is an automated external defibrillator or AED.  This type of defibrillator is designed to require minimal training and be accessible when a person is in need.  The AED requires defibrillator pads to monitor the heartbeat, determine the need for the heartbeat to be restored to normal, and then provide an electric impulse to correct an irregular heartbeat.  This type of device is seen in many settings; including gyms, schools, and police offices.  It was developed to provide quick medical care before emergency personnel arrives.  The defibrillator pads are an intricate part of this piece of equipment and play a vital role in quick intervention.

Purchasing Defibrillator Pads

When purchasing defibrillator pads, it is necessary to determine what type of defibrillator pad is required for your device, what is a fair price, and also how long is the shelf life.  It is important to note the shelf life of the defibrillator pads.  In order for the defibrillator to function, the defibrillator pads must be in working order.  The price of defibrillator pads varies from thirty dollars to five hundred dollars.  With that being said, it is vital to research the type of pads your defibrillator uses so that you are spending your money wisely.  Defibrillator pads can be purchased from a wide variety of companies, so it is important to research which company provides the best product and meets the criteria you have for the pads.

How Defibrillator Pads are Used

Defibrillator pads are applied directly to the person’s bare chest.  The pads assess the heart’s rhythmand, if warranted, send out a shock to restore the heart’s normal heartbeat.  The defibrillator pads serve as an important part of the defibrillator since they are the tools that measure the amount of electricity needed and deliver the “shock”.  This being said, it is important that the defibrillator pads are working properly and not expired because they are a vital part of the defibrillator.

Placement of Defibrillator Pads

When defibrillator pads are used, it is important that they are placed in the correct position on the chest in order to function properly.  If the defibrillator pads are placed in the wrong position on the chest, then they are not able to send the electrical impulse to the heart and will not be effective.  Defibrillator pads must be placed on the chest in a one of two ways.  To be more descriptive, one defibrillator pad should be placed on the lower part of the chest which is in front of the heart.  Another defibrillator pad should be placed on the back which is behind the heart.  In another method, both defibrillator pads can be placed on the front of the chest.  One pad is placed on the right side of the chest, below the clavicle.  The other pad must be placed on the left side of the chest, below the pectoral muscle. 

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