Philips HeartStart FRx | Review
Philips has created an outstanding AED with their Philips HeartStart FRx, one of the finest AEDs for both trained and untrained responders currently on the market. The Philips FRx is lightweight yet rugged, provides responders with instructions during a rescue, requires minimal maintenance, includes a new 8-year warranty, and comes from Philips Healthcare, the long-standing king within the AED industry. In short, the Philips FRx is an incredibly device that any AED program would benefit from featuring.
The design of the Philips FRx is near flawless, being one of the smallest and lightest AEDs on the market. Weighing only 3.5 pounds, the sheer lack of weight makes the Philips FRx a great AED for first responders and those that may be required to travel to victims of sudden cardiac arrest. The Philips HeartStart FRx is also incredibly rugged, being able to withstand jetting water, loads of up to 500 pounds, and one-meter drops onto concrete.
Simplicity is also key for both trained and lay responders, and as to be expected, the Philips FRx has been designed to make the rescue process as simple and easy as possible. CPR Coaching is provided by the Philips FRx, in addition to intuitive and easy-to-understand icon-driven operation. Through clear and calm voice commands coupled with descriptive visual icons, the Philips FRx guides you through every step of the defibrillation process, even down to minute - yet crucial - details and reminders, such as calling emergency rescue personnel and services.
When you're in a rescue situation, simply press the blue i-button of the Philips FRx and the HeartStart CPR Coaching will be activated. For an untrained layperson forced to respond to sudden cardiac arrest, this simple feature could very well be the difference between life and death. And for those trained, simple guidance is always appreciated to help calm those nerves.
Ease of use also extends to the Philips FRx electrode pads. Utilizing Philips' patented SMART Pads II, the Philips FRx enables you to save valuable time by utilizing pre-connected pads that provide therapy for both adults and children alike. With the ability to be used on adults and pediatric patients, the Philips HeartStart FRx allows you to save money by eliminating the need to purchase both adult and pediatric electrode pads.
When treating an infant or a child, simply insert the Infant/Child Key into the Philips FRx and the AED will adjust itself to render therapy and its audio instructions for pediatric patients. The pads icon also flash to show responders the appropriate pads placement for younger patients, in addition to reducing the shock energy level to a more appropriate level for an infant or child (considered less than 55 pounds or 8 years of age).
Wireless data transfer is also available on the Philips HeartStart FRx. Providing a mobile, wireless solution for data management using the Palm handheld platform, the Philips FRx features an infrared data port for easy and simple data transfer without hardwire compatibility issues or the need for expensive cables.
The Philips HeartStart FRx also features Philips' SMART Biphasic technology. The Philips FRx's biphasic waveform delivers a highly effective yet gentle defibrillation shock, providing therapy that is efficient yet gentle to the patient's heart.
The Philips HeartStart FRx also features SMART Analysis, a feature that enables the Philips FRx to shock only when needed. SMART Analysis automatically assesses the patient's heart rhythm and will not deliver a shock unless determined to be shockable even if the Shock button of the Philips HeartStart FRx is pressed.
The versatility of the Philips FRx also extends to its compatibility with advanced defibrillators. Once EMS help arrives, the handoff is both fast and easy, enabling valuable seconds to be saved. With Philips HeartStart FRx adapters, pads can be plugged into AEDs from other manufacturers to ensure continuity of care.
The Philips HeartStart FRx also includes Philips' patented Quick Shock. After the American Heart Association Guidelines reported a "reduction in the interval from compression to shock delivery by even a few seconds can increase the probability of shock success," Philips created the technology that places the Philips FRx AED as the fastest in its class at delivering a shock.
Maintenance for the Philips HeartStart FRx is also a cinch. The Philips FRx is powered by an easily replaceable four-year battery. The Philips FRx conducts automated daily, weekly and monthly self-tests, ensuring it's ready when needed. The Philips FRx also tests its own functionality down to calibration of its circuits to the readiness of your pads. With over 85 tests, the Philips HeartStart FRx is one of the most comprehensive self-testing AEDs on the market, making ownership virtually maintenance-free.
In summation, the Philips HeartStart FRx comes with one of our strongest recommendations. Best suited for first responders and rescue situations in and out-of-doors, the Philips FRx is an exceptional device that will have any AED program will equipped.
