Each AED is supplied with the following standard items:

• AED
• Back Lit LCD Text Display
• 5 Year Battery
• One Pair Defibrillation Electrodes
• 20 Minute Internal Memory
• Free Data Download Software and Cable
• User and Software Manuals
• 5 Year Warranty

Option:

• Removeable Compact Flash Data Card (up to 5 hours of recording)

Ready For Use Features:

• Unique Daily Auto Self-Test Includes Electrodes - FirstSave is the only AED currently available that includes the defibrillation electrodes as part of the automatic self testing routine. Clearly, an AED cannot be deemed ready for use unless there is some way of ensuring that electrodes are both available and also still conductive - only Powerheart & FirstSave AEDs incorporate these electrode tests. The critical importance of this feature is well demonstrated by the attached US published report (link)
• Unique Status Indicator - FirstSave features a clearly visible status indicator that confirms that the unit is ready for use on a patient - no other AED can do this!!
• Five Year Operating Life Battery - the extended life battery pack will provide power for all automatic self-tests, including monthly maximum energy self shocks, for a period of 5 Years.
  
  Ease Of Use Features:
• Unique One Button Operation - no-one else has it!!
• Unique Pre-Connected Electrodes - not only are they pre-connected, thereby saving critical time, they are NOT labelled left / right or Apex / Sternum and can therefore be placed in either
  

O'side defibrillator program placed on hold.
click above to read the article.

Powerheart AED & Survivalink 'FirstSave' AED - Generic Features

One-Button Operation
The FirstSave AED automatically analyses the patient once the electrodes are in place. If a life-saving defibrillation shock is required, the user simply pushes the button when instructed by AEDs voice prompts.

IntelliSense™ Lithium Batteries
Cardiac Science's IntelliSense batteries provide a reliable and maintenance-free solution to the demanding requirements of AED users. All IntelliSense batteries are long life lithium batteries; they require no recharging and come with a five-year operating life. Batteries with such a long operating life allow users to minimise AED operating costs. In addition, the IntelliSense batteries incorporate an internal memory chip to monitor energy used by the AED and calculate the remaining battery life. This remaining battery capacity is displayed for the user on the AEDs Smartgauge indicator panel. Even if the battery is moved to another defibrillator, full usage history and remaining energy are maintained within the IntelliSense memory chip.

Electrodes and Adapters
Cardiac Science offers a complete line of defibrillation electrodes and electrode adapters to meet user needs. The Powerheart and Survivalink 'FirstSave' AEDs are the only devices that comes standard with pre-connected electrodes that are stored inside the device, reducing the number of user steps required to operate the AEDs and maximising the opportunity for a successful rescue. In addition, they are non-polarized, which makes them interchangeable for easier placement. Being pre-connected allows the electrodes to be included in the AEDs daily self-test, which confirms that the electrodes are functioning properly. Electrodes carry a shelf life of two years.

Cardiac Science also provides a full range of electrode adapters for compatibility with manual defibrillators. Cardiac Science electrodes can be connected to defibrillators used by responding BLS and ALS units.

Automated Self-Testing Diagnostics
Powerheart & Survivalink 'FirstSave' AEDs perform the most comprehensive self-testing in the industry. It is the only AED that includes the electrodes in the self-testing process, as we just noted. It is also one of only two devices that includes a full internal energy charge of the device to ensure it is ready to be used. The daily and monthly testing occurs automatically and alerts you when your AED is in need of service. If a Powerheart or Survivalink 'FirstSave' AED fails any one of its self-tests, the status indicator on the outside of the device will change from green to red, and a loud two-tone alarm will activate at 120dB (similar to a smoke alarm).

Rescue Data Management
Powerheart and Survivalink 'FirstSave' AEDs offer both internal and removable memory storage of rescue data. The FirstSave rescue data card utilises CompactFlash™, the smallest and most convenient technology available for data recording. CompactFlash technology allows for:

• Event and ECG recording.
• Optional on-scene integrated voice recording.
• PC card compatibility.
• Multiple rescues with each AED in service.
• Quick and easy field upgrades, reducing obsolescence.

RescueLink® Software. This software allows rescue data to be quickly transferred from the AED or rescue data card to a standard Windows® PC for archiving purposes. In addition, RescueLink enables precise synchronisation of the AED time with the EMS clock.

MDLink™ Software. This program allows a medical director to customise parameters to follow a particular rescue protocol. Adjustable parameters include number of shocks per rescue, energy levels, and voice recording or long rescue time options.

Waveforms and STAR™ Biphasic Technology
Powerheart and Survivalink 'FirstSave' AEDs posess unique Self-Tracking Active Response (STAR) technology, and are the first AEDs to address all of the elements necessary for superior success in defibrillating an SCA victim's heart.

Cardiac Science's STAR Biphasic Waveform Technology.
Cardiac Science offers the most technologically advanced biphasic truncated exponential waveform in an AED, including:

• The only escalating variable energy waveform that delivers optimal current each time.
• Active response to victim's impedance and customisation of defibrillation waveforms to ensure greatest opportunity for success.
• Consistency with ERC & AHA guidelines that call for escalating energy.

The new STAR Biphasic technology was designed with one principle in mind: optimised current delivery = successful defibrillation. STAR Biphasic technology measures a patient's impedance -- the amount of resistance to defibrillation current -- and customises a waveform and energy level to deliver the most effective defibrillation. This customisation occurs even for the most difficult high-impedance victims. No other AED offers this total customisation Cardiac Science AEDs with STAR Biphasic technology delivers optimal therapy for every person stricken with SCA, not just the easy ones.

Clinical Study Results

When compared with other industry-standard waveforms, Cardiac Science AEDs show statistically significant higher success rates. In addition to being the easiest AEDs to use.

References:
1. Augostini RS, Tchou PJ, Love C, Ellenbogen K, Deering T, Brewer J, Flieger S, Donohoo A, Swerdlow C. Multicenter trial of a biphasic external defibrillation waveform. Cleveland Clinic and Survivalink Corporation. Abstract accepted by NASPE 1999.
2. Bardy GH, Zaghi H, Gartman D, Poole JE, Kudenchuk PK, Dolack GL, Johnson G, and Troutman C. A Prospective Randomised Comparison of Defibrillation Efficacy of Truncated Pulses and Damped Sine Wave Pulses in Human, J. Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 1994; 5:725-30.

NEW Features Inherent To The Powerheart AED
In addition to the Generic Features listed previously, the NEW PowerHeart AED now includes the following additional features:

a. Programmable VF/VT Detection Rate

All AEDs currently have a fixed rate for the determination of shockable VF/VT rhythms. What is less know is that these fixed rates vary from device to device, with the range being 150 to 207 The Survivalin 'FirstSave' AED has a fixed threshold of 180bpm).

The PowerHeart AED has a programmable VF/VT rate allowing Medical Directors / Controllers to select a rate between 120-240 (the default is 160)

b. SVT Discrimination Function

The PowerHeart AED contains a unique SVT discrimination function that allows Medical Directors / Controllers to set a shock rate independent of the VF/VT rate.

The SVT rate range is 160 to 240 (the default is 200).

c. Auto Synchronised Shocks

The Powerheart AED is the first AED in the world to automatically deliver a synchronised shock for both VT and SVT. VF will be treated with an a-synchronous shock.

d. Monitoring During CPR Mode

Medical Directors / Controllers have the option to monitor during the CPR interval duration. In this mode, if the AED detects that the rhythm has gone from non-shockable to shockable, then it will immediately analyse and charge.

e. Non-Committed Shock Feature

This feature allows the Powerheart AED to detect changes of rhythm right up to the last second before a shock is delivered. If the rhythm should spontaneously change from shockable to non-shockable, the Powerheart AED will immediately abort the shock, advise the user, and re-analyse.