Defibrillators

More than 60 years ago, Dr. Karl William Edmark introduced the world’s first portable defibrillator – launching an industry that changed the way we respond to life-threatening medical emergencies.

Dr. Karl William Edmark

Karl William Edmark, MD, was a cardiovascular surgeon and lifelong inventor who was committed to improving outcomes for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. His best-known contribution was to defibrillation science. In the early to mid-1950s, defibrillators used alternating current (AC), which was unreliable and used a high-voltage waveform.

In 1955, Edmark founded Physio Control Corporation to design and manufacture defibrillators and other medical equipment. Dr. Edmark developed a defibrillator that utilized direct current (DC), which provided lower-energy shocks with less trauma to patients and was more reliable and effective in terminating ventricular fibrillation.  Edmark’s invention, known as the Edmark Pulse Defibrillator, was first used to save the life of a 12-year-old girl in Seattle, Washington in 1961.

Dr. Edmark hired W. Hunter Simpson to direct the company’s growth, while he continued to develop products to benefit patients with cardiac conditions. Edmark’s company went on to revolutionize emergency medical care by introducing the first portable defibrillator/monitor that allowed paramedics to provide defibrillation in the field before transporting the patient to the hospital. This improvement was an important factor in the advent of Seattle’s 1970 Medic 1 program.

Automated External Defibrillator

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a device that checks a person’s heart and delivers an electric shock if it has stopped beating normally.

If a person suddenly collapses, they may be suffering from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). SCA is serious. It means that the person’s heart has stopped pumping blood and they need help fast.

The most important element in the treatment of SCA is to provide a rapid shock to their heart called defibrillation. An automated external defibrillator (AED) helps ordinary people to provide defibrillation quickly.

While we recommend that everyone receive training in CPR and using an AED, AEDs are designed to coach you through the process, even if you haven’t had training. The device determines if a shock is necessary and if it is, a calm, clear voice explains exactly what to do. It actively adapts the instructions to keep you on track. Intelligent sensors assess and automatically deliver the right shock, at the right time ‐ personalized to every man, woman, or child.

Hayes First Aid have been selling AED's / defibrillators online in Ireland for over seven years and have supplied thousands of units to businesses, emergency services, community groups and home users from many different manufacturers.

Independent of any AED / defibrillator manufacturer, we offer impartial advice and tailor an offering to suit your individual requirements ensuring you have an appropriate device should you ever have the need to use it.

And if you, your business, or community group require training, we have our own team of fully certified instructors who will deliver training for groups onsite, for an additional cost. This training is certified by the Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council(PHECC), an independent statutory organisation responsible for implementing, monitoring and further developing the standards of care provided by all statutory, private and voluntary ambulance services in Ireland.

Need more help? Whether you are a home user, sports club, GP doctor, medical centre, surgery, first responders, fire service, ambulance service, college campus, school, occupational health department, government body or a nursing home, you can give our team a call on 01 5079901 or email sales@hayesfirstaid.com to discuss your needs and get a quote. Irish owned and based, shipping nationwide throughout Ireland.