ITEM IS DISCONTINUED   RETURN TO DEFIBRILLATOR PAGE   The LIFEPAK CR Plus defibrillators are automated external defibrillators (AEDs). For many years defibrillators have been used only by medical professionals to treat victims in sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Today the ability of defibrillators to save lives is so widely recognized that people once trained to do only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can now use defibrillators. After electrode pads are applied to the victim’s chest the defibrillator analyzes the victim’s heart rhythm. If a shockable rhythm is detected the defibrillator will either deliver an intense pulse of electricity (shock) to the heart muscle (fully automatic model) or direct the responder to deliver the shock (semiautomatic model). The defibrillator delivers shocks through the electrode pads on the victim’s chest. When this pulse of electricity is delivered it is called defibrillation. Defibrillation is recognized for treating life-threatening heartbeat irregularities such as ventricular fibrillation that cause SCA. The LIFEPAK CR Plus defibrillators are designed specifically for infrequent use and for use by people whose only training is in CPR and in using AEDs. Indications for Use: The LIFEPAK CR Plus defibrillators are indicated for use on patients in cardiac arrest. The patient must be unresponsive (unconscious) not breathing normally and showing no signs of circulation (for example no pulse no coughing or no movement). The defibrillators may be used with standard defibrillation pads only on adults and children who are 8 years old or more or who weigh more than 25 kg (55 lbs). The defibrillators may be used on children who are less than 8 years old or weigh less than 25 kg (55 lbs) with Infant/Child Reduced Energy The American Heart Association estimates that in the USA alone at least 250000 people die each year of cardiac arrest. Of these about 10000 people might have been saved had they received immediate treatment from a defibrillator. Sudden cardiac arrest is usually caused by a malfunction in the heart’s electrical system. Called ventricular fibrillation this critical condition prevents the heart from pumping blood throughout the body. Ventricular fibrillation can cause death within seconds. Defibrillation is a relatively simple procedure that involves placing electrode pads on a victim’s exposed chest and delivering an electrical shock to the heart. The externally-delivered shock often restores the heart’s electrical system to normal rhythm. Combined with CPR defibrillation provides the most effective care for victims in cardiac arrest.