New ACLS and old AEDs

[ReD]

whats gonna happen with all the AEDs programmed with the old ACLS (3 stacked shocks, and 15:2 compression:breaths) are they gonna recall and reprogram or what?

[Ridryder 911]

According to AHA, nothing.. some AED companies will perform an upgrade and some will for a costs.. and there are some..hmm you are out of luck. From my recent up-date instructor course, we were informed to use the old AED's if possible to perform 1-2 minute CPR on non-witnessed arrest. If not able to, they suggested to continue old initial standards, with new CPR ratio...

Please check out AHA the publication for more detailed and accurate information: http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/fu.../24_suppl/IV-35

Be safe,

R/r 911

[Nate]

There are a number of reasons why I don't become an instructor with AHA, that is only one of them. Keeping up with AHA and their changes is a part time job.

[Neb.EMT]

I know that some of them can be field reprogrammed with instructions given by the manufacturers.

[AZCEP]

Most of the AED's are able to be updated with a slight tweak of the software. I asked our Physio-Control service rep when we could expect them to do this to our equipment, and he was unaware of a need.

Then he called back and said there would be no upgrades until August, so we are in a holding pattern.

The changes that were made are not that big of a deal. If you are using old AED's that can't be updated, take into account how your device works and shorten the time off the chest, which is where most of the emphasis is anyway.

[Dustdevil]

Any agency who is stuck with AED's that have to be replaced because they cannot have programming easily updated should seriously consider firing the complete idiot who chose to buy them. Only a total incompetent would buy a device without asking that crucial question.