What is the price range for a defibrillator?

Answer 1

You can get a brand new one anywhere from $1200 to $1600 for a mid grade model. Try Philips, AED and Heartstart for brands.

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There are 7 companies that make the 13 models of AEDs that are FDA approved for sale in the US. There are many analogies to buying a car when talking about AED brands and models. They all do basicly the same thing but prices and style are wide ranging. You can purchase AEDs from under 900 dollars to over 3000 dollars. Each of the major players have their fans--Phillips, Zoll, Cardiac Science...yet if you ask them WHY they like that unit better then others or take the time to closely look at the specifications you will find far more similarities then differences.

Just as car makers set a minimum advertised price for their cars, few pay that price. It is the same with AEDs. The price you will see on the internet is the MSRP or higher. As an example the unit with the longest warranty ( seven years) and the least ongoing maintenence costs ( around 22 dollars per year for battery and pad replacement over 5 years), that has the best water resistance and dust resistance of all the models can be found for over 2000 dollars.

The same unit has an MSPR of 1295.00 and with cursory searching on the Internet you can find that price. That is the minimum advertised price allowable. However if you call the seller and dig deeper you will often find prices hundreds of dollars cheaper then that, especially if you are buying more then one.

Another model that has a minimum advertised price of 1695 dollars was recently offered to a buying group for a seven hundred dollar discount from that price. If you are a non-profit or an agency think about being part of a buyer's group.

All current defibrillators work in very much the same way. What you need to look for is ongoing maintenece costs over time, recall history, how they will hold up in your environment ( temperature range, dust and water resistance, when the AED protocol changes as it did in 2005 and will again next year, are they field upgradeable and at what cost....etc.)

Where there is a VERY large difference in those that sell AEDs is how much support do they give you AFTER the sale.

1. Do they provide training, more then just a 5 minute demo on how to turn it on?

2. WIll they provide or help you find a medical director? ( This is not the same as a prescription and is required in addition to the prescription in many states.)

3. Will they help you set up a policy and maintenance program? Both are also required by many States?

4. Will they provide you a copy of your State AED law and help you understand what is required of you, will they notify the ?

5. Will they upgrade your units on site or provide you a free loaner if your unit needs work?

6.If you use your AED will they help you download the medical information from the unit to give to your medical director and help you return your unit to service?

These are things you should require of your AED vendor to get the best value for your money. An AED can not only save a life, but it can also provide you with limited immunity from being sued if somebody has a cardiac arrest at your venue or business.

If your vendor or someone has not assured all of the above you may find you do not have such immunity. ( If your battery is dead, if you do not allow the machine to be used by one willing to use it in a cardiac arrest situation you may find your Good Samaritan immunity compromised.)

The above, more then just the amount of the check you write, is what makes a quality and valuable Public Access Defibrillator program. Some charge hundreds of dollars per unit per year for these services , some provide them for much less or free.

Spend some time looking for your best value!