[masraum]

Originally Posted by dw1

It is not a matter of chest compressions vs AED because even with an AED one should be doing chest compressions. If fact, several of the AED's I am familiar with give the operator voice prompt instructions to do so.

I suspect what your instructor meant was "...CPR chest compressions alone vs CPR with an AED is no contest" and I would agree.

While one could get ROSC (return of spontaneous circulation) with CPR alone, it is quite unlikely. CPR is delivered to keep the oxygenated blood flowing and a defibrillator (e.g. AED) delivers electrical current to the heart to end the arrhythmia, bringing it back to a normal sinus rhythm.

Oh, and figure on spending $1500 - $2000 for a good one for home use. Personally, I like Zoll, Physio-Control & Phillips, but that is based on experience with their "professional" clinical-use equipment.

AND GET GOOD AED & CPR TRAINING! You DO NOT want to be figuring out how to use an AED when you need it most.

This seems like a valuable, information packed post!