AED with alternate shock switch

ABSTRACT

A semi-automated AED with a second shock switch. In an illustrative embodiment, programming running on the AED after prompting a user of the AED to push a shock switch looks to see if an event associated with pushing the shock switch, such as the delivery of a shock, has occurred. If the event being monitored for has not occurred within a given time, the user is prompted to push another button to initiate the event.
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to automated external defibrillators, and, more specifically, to a alternate system to initiate a shock to a victim.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

External defibrillators are emergency medical devices designed to supply a controlled electric shock (i.e., therapy) to a person's (e.g., victim's) heart during cardiac arrest. This electric shock is delivered via pads that are electrically connected with the external defibrillator and in contact with the person's body.
To provide a timelier rescue attempt for a person experiencing cardiac arrest, some external defibrillators have been made portable, by utilizing battery power (or other self-contained power supplies). In addition, many portable external defibrillators have programming to make medical decisions making possible operation by non-medical personnel.
These portable external defibrillators, commonly known as automated external defibrillators (AEDs), including automatic and semi-automatic types, have gained acceptance by those outside the medical profession and have been deployed in myriad locations outside of traditional medical settings. Due to the life saving benefits of AEDs, more and more non-medical users are purchasing and deploying AEDs in their respective environments. This allows for a rescue attempt without the delay associated with bringing the person to a medical facility, or bringing a medical facility to the person (e.g., a life support ambulance).

### Language ###
English

### Assessment ###
Understanding the primary purpose of AEDs and their usage context

### Query ###
Can regular people without medical training use a defibrillator?

Note: This query avoids starting with an interrogative pronoun, focuses on a specific piece of information that can be found in the text (non-medical personnel usage), and would be a natural question someone might ask without knowing about the existence of this specific text.
Can regular people without medical training use a defibrillator?

Note: This query avoids starting with an interrogative pronoun, focuses on a specific piece of information that can be found in the text (non-medical personnel usage), and would be a natural question someone might ask without knowing about the existence of this specific text.