The Advantages of Biphasic Defibrillators

A defibrillator is a device used to provide an electric shock to the heart to try to reset the electrical current. This current is necessary to sustain life. The way the electricity moves through your heart is what makes it beat, providing proper blood flow and pressure. At times the electrical current can be offset, get out of rhythm or just stop. A shock to the heart may restore or stabilize the current. While both monophasic and biphasic defibrillators serve similar purposes, the biphasic defibrillator has a few advantages over the monophasic defibrillator. However, the biphasic does not seem to be any more effective at saving lives.

Portability

• The biphasic defibrillator is smaller than the monophasic. This makes the device more portable and easier to carry on airplanes, in helicopters and into such remote areas as the back country. All you need is some power device, usually a battery.

Less Expensive

• The biphasic defibrillator is also less expensive than the monophasic. This price difference has helped adventure companies and travel companies afford multiple devices to equip travel services. The lower price also can help reduce costs for ambulance and paramedic services needing to stock multiple vehicles.

Longer Battery Life

• The batteries last longer on biphasic defibrillators. This can be a huge advantage if you are not near outlet power. On ambulances, fire engines or even in airplanes, a longer-lasting battery can mean the difference between life and death, especially on time-consuming transports to hospital care.

Less Skin Damage

• A biphasic device doesn't injure the skin and muscle as much as a monophasic device. This is a direct result of the lower energy a biphasis defibrillator uses. Skin and muscle injury is more of a problem during prolonged exposure, but a biphasic device can make a difference, especially for people who end up with these injuries multiple times.