Choose a Secure Location: Select a secure and easily accessible location within the vehicle to store the AED. Common storage options include the glove compartment, center console, or a dedicated AED storage bag or case. Ensure the AED is kept away from direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, and any potential sources of damage or interference.

Use a Mounting Bracket (if available): If your AED comes with a mounting bracket specifically designed for vehicles, consider using it. Mounting brackets provide a secure attachment point for the AED, preventing it from moving or becoming damaged during vehicle movement.

Ensure Proper Protection: Keep the AED in a protective case or bag to shield it from dust, moisture, and physical damage. Consider using a case that provides cushioning and insulation against temperature fluctuations.

Secure the AED: Use Velcro straps, elastic bands, or other securing mechanisms to ensure the AED remains in place and does not shift during vehicle movement. This helps prevent damage to the device and keeps it easily accessible when needed.

Regularly Check and Maintain: Routinely inspect the AED to ensure it is in proper working condition. Check the battery level, electrode pads, and any expiration dates for accessories or consumables. Perform regular maintenance checks as recommended by the manufacturer.

Consider Visibility and Accessibility: Ensure the AED is easily visible and accessible to individuals in the vehicle. In case of an emergency, quick access to the AED is crucial. Avoid storing the AED in a location that is obstructed or requires time-consuming retrieval.

Train and Educate Passengers: If multiple people use the vehicle, make sure they are aware of the AED’s location and how to access it. Provide basic instructions on AED usage and encourage passengers to familiarize themselves with the device.

Remember to follow any specific guidelines provided by the AED manufacturer regarding storage and transportation.

When it comes to selecting an AED for use in a vehicle, certain factors need to be considered, such as size, durability, and portability. Here are a few AED models that are often considered suitable for use in vehicles:

Philips HeartStart OnSite: The HeartStart OnSite is a compact and lightweight AED that is often recommended for vehicles. It is user-friendly, reliable, and can easily be stored in a glove compartment or other compact spaces. The Philips HeartStart OnSite AED is designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind. It is intended to be used by both trained rescuers and bystanders with minimal training. The AED provides clear voice prompts and visual instructions to guide the rescuer through each step of the rescue process, ensuring proper usage and effective response. The HeartStart OnSite AED utilizes SMART Analysis, an intelligent technology that assesses the patient’s heart rhythm and determines whether a shock is needed. It automatically analyzes the patient’s heart rhythm and advises the rescuer on when to deliver a shock, ensuring appropriate and timely treatment. The OnSite AED offers a Quick Shock feature, which minimizes the time between CPR and defibrillation. After the initial CPR cycle, if a shockable rhythm is detected, the AED reduces the time required for charging the device, allowing for prompt delivery of a shock. The AED includes clear visual aids and diagrams on the electrode pads, providing guidance on proper pad placement. This feature helps the rescuer accurately position the pads on the patient’s chest, ensuring effective delivery of the shock and optimizing treatment. The OnSite AED performs regular self-tests to ensure operational readiness. It conducts daily, weekly, and monthly self-checks to verify battery status, pad integrity, and overall functionality. The device features a green “Ready” indicator, which confirms that the AED is in working order and ready for use. Philips provides training options for the HeartStart OnSite AED, including training units and instructional materials. These resources allow businesses to conduct training sessions and familiarize employees with the device’s operation and CPR techniques.

https://fc-safety.com/product/philips-heartstart-onsite-with-standard-carry-case-m5066a-c01/

ZOLL AED Plus: (Our top choice): The ZOLL AED Plus is known for its durability and ruggedness, making it suitable for use in various environments, including vehicles. One of the standout features of the ZOLL AED Plus is its real-time CPR feedback. It uses ZOLL’s unique “Real CPR Help” technology to monitor and provide guidance on the depth and rate of chest compressions during CPR. The device provides visual and audio prompts to assist rescuers in delivering effective CPR. The ZOLL AED Plus utilizes a unique electrode pad called “CPR-D-padz.” These pads have a built-in accelerometer that can detect the depth and rate of chest compressions. They also provide visual prompts for proper hand placement during CPR, ensuring the rescuer administers high-quality compressions. The AED Plus uses consumer-grade lithium batteries, which are widely available and cost-effective. These batteries offer an impressive five-year shelf life and can provide approximately five years of standby power or deliver 300 shocks. The device also performs regular self-tests to ensure battery readiness. The ZOLL AED Plus is known for its durability and user-friendly design. It features a simple interface with a large, intuitive display and oversized buttons for easy operation, even in high-stress situations. The device provides clear voice and text prompts to guide the rescuer through each step of the rescue process. The ZOLL AED Plus includes other valuable features, such as built-in self-testing and status indicators to ensure the device is always ready for use. It also supports data transfer, allowing rescue data to be easily downloaded and reviewed for analysis. ZOLL offers training packages and AED Plus trainers, which simulate the functionality of the actual AED for effective training sessions. This allows businesses to train their employees on AED usage and CPR techniques, increasing overall preparedness.

https://fc-safety.com/product/zoll-aed-plus/

Physio-Control LIFEPAK CR2: The LIFEPAK CR2 is designed with portability in mind. It is compact, lightweight, and can be easily carried in a vehicle. The LIFEPAK CR2 AED is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, making it suitable for both trained rescuers and laypersons. It provides clear voice and visual prompts to guide the rescuer through each step of the rescue process. The device features a large, high-resolution screen that displays graphics and text for easy comprehension. One of the key features of the LIFEPAK CR2 is its real-time CPR feedback technology. It utilizes CPR Insight, which provides real-time guidance on the quality of CPR being performed. The device offers visual and audio prompts, instructing the rescuer to “Push Harder” or “Good Compressions” based on the depth and rate of chest compressions. The CR2 AED is built with ruggedness and durability in mind. It meets military standards for shock and vibration resistance, ensuring reliability even in challenging environments. Its IP55 rating makes it highly resistant to dust and water, allowing it to withstand tough conditions. The LIFEPAK CR2 AED offers customizable energy levels, allowing the rescuer to adjust the shock energy based on the patient’s needs. This feature ensures that the appropriate amount of energy is delivered for effective defibrillation. The CR2 AED supports advanced connectivity options, enabling seamless data management and remote monitoring. It can connect to LIFELINKcentral, which provides organizations with the ability to remotely monitor device readiness, track usage, and manage AED programs efficiently. The LIFEPAK CR2 offers a child mode feature, which allows for easy transition between adult and pediatric patients. By simply pressing the child mode button, the device automatically adjusts its prompts, energy levels, and CPR guidance for pediatric patients. Physio-Control offers training options for the CR2 AED, including training units that simulate the device’s functionality for realistic training scenarios. These training solutions ensure that users are familiar with the operation of the AED and can effectively respond during emergencies.

https://fc-safety.com/product/physio-control-lifepak-cr2/

Defibtech Lifeline VIEW: The Lifeline VIEW AED is compact and features a lightweight design, making it convenient for vehicle storage. The Lifeline VIEW AED is known for its user-friendly design and clear interface. It features a large, full-color interactive screen that displays step-by-step instructions, guiding the rescuer through the entire rescue process. The visual prompts and animated illustrations help provide clarity and build confidence during a high-stress situation. One of the key features of the Lifeline VIEW AED is its real-time CPR feedback technology. It provides clear visual and audio prompts to guide the rescuer on the correct compression depth and rate during CPR. The AED analyzes the chest compressions and provides immediate feedback on the quality of CPR being performed, helping the rescuer deliver effective chest compressions. The Lifeline VIEW AED incorporates ClearVoice™ technology, which adjusts the volume and clarity of the voice prompts based on the ambient noise level. This ensures that the voice prompts are loud and clearly audible in various environments, helping rescuers hear and follow the instructions effectively. The Lifeline VIEW AED is powered by a long-life lithium battery with a standby life of up to 7 years. This extended battery life reduces the need for frequent battery replacements and ensures that the AED is always ready for use in an emergency. The AED performs regular self-checks to ensure its readiness for use. It conducts daily, weekly, and monthly self-tests to verify battery status, pad readiness, and overall functionality. The device displays a readiness status indicator to confirm its operational readiness, and it provides audible and visual alerts if maintenance or attention is required. The Lifeline VIEW AED supports data management and connectivity options. It allows rescue data to be easily retrieved and transferred to a computer or external device for post-event review and analysis. Some models offer integrated USB or SD card connectivity, simplifying data transfer and reporting. Defibtech offers training units specifically designed for the Lifeline VIEW AED, enabling organizations to conduct effective training sessions. These training units mimic the AED’s operation without delivering a shock, providing hands-on practice, and ensuring that users are familiar with the device’s functions.

https://fc-safety.com/product/defibtech-lifeline-view/

When choosing an AED for a vehicle, consider factors such as size, weight, durability, and ease of use. It’s crucial to ensure the AED is properly secured to prevent damage or displacement during vehicle movement. Additionally, regularly check the AED’s battery and conduct maintenance checks to ensure it is always in optimal working condition.