Not sure which defibrillator is best for your school? Defibs.co.uk can help.

Especially when you consider that 12 people under 35 die each week in the UK from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). Also, 270 children will die at school each year. And less than 1 in 10 people in the UK survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. In many cases this has been down two factors that we can change:

There aren’t enough people prepared to perform CPR when someone has a cardiac arrest

There isn't a defibrillator located nearby.

By having a defibrillator available and training students and staff in CPR, your school can play a huge part in saving more lives.

At Defibs.co.uk we think the most important thing is to ensure that your school is equipped with these life-saving AED units, no matter which brand or model you choose.That being said, there are certainly specific AED models that have features and capabilities that are better suited for the school environment. This guide will discuss the most important factors a school should consider when deciding which AED to purchase for their site. While no single AED model “wins” on all factors, this will allow you to choose the device that best fits your school’s needs.

Some features are universal in modern defibrillators:

• They tend to be small in size
• They perform regular self-tests to ensure readiness
• They deliver shocks to the heart with one-button control.

Other features will vary by model. When comparing AEDs for a school, certain qualities are especially important.

Ease of Movement

When a cardiac event occurs, you have to act fast to get the person’s heart rhythms back in order. Grab the AED from its cabinet and rush across school to the victim. In other words, you need a AED that’s both lightweight and durable. Look for models that are under 2.5 KG and those that have undergone and passed rigorous drop testing.

Affordable Pricing

An automated external defibrillator shouldn’t be a huge financial burden. Schools operate with extensive overhead costs. You don’t want to spend more than necessary on your defibrillator.

Ease of Use

You don’t know who will be first to attend when an emergency strikes, so it’s critical to have an AED that’s simple enough for any layperson to use. Look for models that offer real-time visual or audible instructions for both CPR and defibrillation. One- or two-button models are best, as you want a simple, streamlined operation.

Safe for Paediatric use

Your AED may unfortunately have to be used on a child so a device that can be fitted with pads designed for shocking a child is of utmost importance. All the devices we have suggested can be fitted with paediatric pads and details of adding them to your purchase can be found with each recommendation..

Taking these points into account, these are the AED’s we recommend for your school:

The Samaritan PAD 350P

The Samaritan PAD 350P is probably HeartSine’s best and most cost-effective model – and  a near-perfect School AED device. It offers real-time CPR and defibrillation coaching for both novice and experienced users, and the simple two-button operation eliminates confusion in an emergency situation. One button turns on the device and initiates the coaching process, and the other button delivers the shock.

This model is lightweight and durable. At roughly 1 kg, it’s one of the lightest defibrillators you’ll find, but still boasts the highest-available durability ratings, including an IP56 Dust & Water Rating.

The Samaritan PAD 350P is available for just £745 + Vat

Paediatric pads are £120 + Vat

Cardiac Science G5 Full Automatic Defibrillator |G5

The Cardiac Science G5 Full Automatic defibrillator is another affordable option that’s easy to use. It has been developed to allow persons with limited first aid knowledge to keep calm and successfully operate the life saving unit. The G5 has also been tested to military standards so it will easily cope with any environment in  your school. 

The Cardiac Science G5 is available for just £995, making it one of the most cost-effective AEDs for school safety.

Paediatric pads are £65 + Vat

Philips HeartStart FRx AED Defibrillator - Semi-Automatic

Suitable for use by rescuers with minimal training, the Philips HeartStart FRx is a semi-automatic defibrillator that provides guidance voice prompts, visual icons and CPR coaching throughout the defibrillation process and treatment. The unit has a robust design, capable of withstanding a 1 metre drop onto a concrete floor, and can be used in harsh environments such as muddy football pitches, construction sites and even in the rain. This AED carries out daily self checks to ensure that the unit functions correctly when needed during a sudden cardiac arrest. 

The Philips Heartstart FRx AED Defibrillator costs £1,200 + Vat

Paediatric pads are £60 + Vat

Top Accessories for School Defibrillators

Schools will also want to stock up on basic accessories when purchasing an AED for their site.

A wall cabinet: A cabinet provides you with a secure, central location for your defibrillator. Many Defib cabinets can be connected to your central security system to signal an alert in the event of an emergency.

Wall cabinets start from £25

Extra pads and batteries: If your pads or battery fail for any reason, you need to have extras on hand. Batteries can run out of chargel, and pads can only be used once. In addition, these parts have expiration dates. Make sure to equip backup AED batteries and pads that fit your model.

Replacement batteries start at £110

Replacement pads start at £22

Whatever you need for your Defibrillator, Defibs.co.uk are here to help. To learn more about our Schools packages get in touch with our friendly & knowledgeable team by calling 020 8211 2054. Alternatively, fill out our Contact Us form and we'll respond to you as soon as possible.