Defibrillator Cost: Common Questions and Answers
Whether you own a business or have the responsibility for health-and-safety in your workplace, an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is an essential piece of life-saving equipment that every office, construction site, school, and any sort of other workplace should have. Cost is an important consideration. Below you will find some commonly asked questions in relation to defibrillators and their cost.
What Is an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)?
An AED is a piece of medical equipment that delivers an electric shock to a person who has suffered a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). An SCA is when the electrical impulses that control the rhythm of your heart are disturbed, which in turn causes your heart to fail, resulting in a fatal outcome if not treated immediately. The chances of surviving an SCA are greatest if defibrillation and effective CPR is used within the first three to five minutes of the cardiac arrest.
How Much Does a Defibrillator Cost?
Defibrillators come in different shapes and sizes, with varying levels of functionality. Some deliver the shock automatically, while others require the responder to press a button. There are additional features such as CPR feedback or WIFI connectivity that, depending on your requirements, will affect the unit cost. Prices range from £695 to £1848 (excluding VAT) for public access devices, and between £1800 and £13,995 (excluding VAT) for a high-spec professional manual unit.
How Much Does a Defibrillator Replacement Pad Cost?
AEDs come with gel-covered electrode pads that need to be stuck to the patient during the process of defibrillation. Each set of pads can only be used once, and require replacement once they reach their expiration date (if not used beforehand). Different pads have different lifespans depending on the model. Pads are designed for adult or paediatric use. Prices range from £35 (excluding VAT) to £100 (excluding VAT) for single sets of pads.
How Much Does a Defibrillator Replacement Battery Cost?
Like electrode pads, the price of a defibrillator battery will vary depending on the model and on the battery lifespan. Some models have combined batteries and pads. Batteries start at £74.00 (excluding VAT) and go up to £400 (excluding VAT).
How Much Does Defibrillator Training Cost?
AEDs are designed to talk you through the defibrillation process, whether the responder is trained or untrained. We always recommend proper AED training to equip responders with the knowledge to react swiftly and confidently. Training costs depend on the number of learners - prices usually range between £395 and £595 (excluding VAT).
How Much Electricity Does A Defibrillator Use?
Most defibrillators deliver a highly-concentrated shock of around 150 - 360 joules, which equates to about 200 – 1,000 volts. This is about as much energy as is required to light a 100-watt lightbulb for just a few seconds. This level of energy is much higher than the body is used to, which is why defibrillators are so essential to be able to deliver this safely in an emergency.
How to Get A Defibrillator In My Area?
If you are looking for a way to procure and install a defibrillator in your local area, there are a few ways you can go about this. You can:
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Apply for Funding – through relevant programmes such as the Community Automated External Defibrillators (AED) Fund, helping community organisations across England purchase public access defibrillators (PADs).
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Hire or Rent a Device – at defibshop, we offer a selection of flexible defibrillator finance options including long-term rental and short-term loan, to help you secure a life-saving device in a way that suits your budget.
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Buy an AED Outright – at defibshop, we offer a range of defibrillator packages suited to different environments, such as communities, schools, and workplaces, allowing you to get everything needed for your emergency set-up in a single, cost-effective payment.
Download our Defibrillator Buyer’s Guide for more information or use our helpful Product Finder to browse the most suitable defibrillators for your organisation’s needs.
Do You Have To Be Trained To Use An AED?
No. You do not have to be medically trained to be able to use an AED. Designed with both untrained and experienced responders in mind, defibrillators allow everyone to be a hero in the unexpected event of an SCA. Training is always beneficial to ensure you have the confidence to respond in an emergency without delay, and are comfortable with using different AED features.
Invest in Life-Saving AEDs and Training
If you want to make your working environment safer for both yourself and your staff, take a look at our life-saving units and ensure that your members of staff are fully trained to deliver proper treatment to casualties in an SCA.
More Information
To learn more about defibrillators, get in touch with our friendly & knowledgeable team by calling 0161 776 7422. Alternatively, fill out our Contact Us form and we'll respond to you as soon as possible.