Heartstart by Phillips is a worldwide leader of the AED (automated external defibrillator) market and Phillips currently have over 500 thousand external defibrillator units being used by consumers today. The automated defibrillator is the #1 choice with consumers to have at home because of how simple and easy they are to use. The HeartStart defibrillator has been invested in by thousands for schools,workplace,EMT & Firehouses,Sports facilities,law enforcement,Senior facilities, and communities. The Phillips company has earned the trust of these consumers because of their clinical leadership in both early defibrillation and quality CPR.

The HeartStart is designed to be used by anyone automated equipment to shock someone's heart if they are having a SCA. 80% of people have cardiac arrest in their residence and it is critical to surviving an attack to achieve immediate heart resuscitation. All of us have seen the medical TV shows where a patient codes and the doctor rushes in to save the patient. The doctor uses the hospital defibrillator to shock the heart.The Heartstart Philips home defibrillator is the same technology, but designed and packaged to be affordable to the general public and safe and easy to be used by almost anyone.

The HeartStart defibrillator is designed to be used by anyone and everyone. The unit is designed where once the unit is turned on, the technology uses a computer generated voice to walk you through each step of what to do. The unit is small and is about the size of a portable DVD player. It come with a lithium battery that last 4 years. There is a manual on button but there is a handle that you pull down on front of unit that turns unit on and gives you access to the 2 special pads that you take out and attach to patient by pressing on pads to make it stick to the skin. There is a button that flashes that lets you know it is analyzing patient and another flashing button that lets you know to press the button that delivers the shock to the heart. The buttons use color and are clearly marked to easily follow the voice commands. The unit is also designed with a practice mode so if someone felt they would feel more confident using the home defibrillator they could actually run through the simple steps for practice.

HeartStart comes with a "Quick Start" poster, an Owner's Manual, Quick Reference Guide and a short training videotape, "How To Use Your HeartStart Home Defibrillator," to help you get familiar with the device. It is recommended that anyone who might use it look at these materials. HeartStart also comes with discounted coupons for CPR training at the American Red Cross, American Heart Association or Medic First Aid. An online listing helps consumers find these trainings in their local area.

The Heartstart AED can also be used on children and infants. There are different pads used for children and infants that deliver the appropriate amount of shock for their hearts. The unit recognizes when the infant/children pads are being used and automatically gives the voice commands appropriate to infant/child CPR.

Unlike all other AEDs, you do not need a doctor to write a prescription to get the Phiilips AED. Your insurance may pay for the unit if certain health conditions warrant owning it. Medicare does cover cost as of January 1st, 2004 if certain health conditions exist. Consumers should check with their physician and/or insurer to see if they qualify.