The use of automated external defibrillator (AED) has now become very helpful in maximizing the chances of saving the person of someone undergoing heart malfunction. There is no doubt for that because nowadays, the law says that each workplace and public area should provide an accessible AED for anyone to use when emergency arises. Even for homes, it is also strongly suggested to secure an AED due to the fact that cases of heart attack, sudden cardiac arrest, and other fatal heart problems while at home have drastically increased over the years.
With regards to that, it would be necessary to know several important features of an AED. One of these is the Ingress Protection (IP), which is classified into two: the Liquid Ingress Protection and the Solid Particle Protection. The liquid ingress protection refers to how much protection the device has against contact or ingress of water as well as any other type of liquid. Same goes with the solid particle protection, but the only difference is that it refers to protection against foreign solid particles. The following are the 10 levels indicating the device’s liquid ingress protection:
- Level 0 – device is not protected against entrance of or contact to various liquids
- Level 1 – device is protected against dripping water
- Level 2 – device is not affected by vertically dripping water when the enclosure is in its normal position or not tiled to an angle not more than 15 degrees
- Level 3 – same with level 2 but the maximum safe enclosure tilt angle could be as much as 60 degrees
- Level 4 – device is not affected by splashes of water from any direction
- Level 5 – device is protected even against a nozzle of water from any direction
- Level 6 – device remains protected even against water projected by a powered jet
- Level 7 – device is not affected when it is immersed in water within the indicated pressure and time values
- Level 8 – device remains unharmed even when continuously immersed in water, except for some defined circumstances
For the solid particle protection, where are the seven levels to note of:
- Level 0 – device is not protected against ingress or contact of any foreign solid object
- Level 1 – device is protected against ingress or contact of large objects, including large surfaces of the body.
- Level 2 – device is unharmed by ingress or contact of fingers and several other similar objects
- Level 3 – device remains protected against ingress or contact of tools, thick wires, and similar objects
- Level 4 – device is protected against various wires, screws, and other similar particles.
- Level 5 – device is dust-protected but severe cases could affect its operability.
- Level 6 – device is completely dust-protected and unharmed by various types of solid particles.
For more essential information about AEDs, you can opt for the AED Program Management and AED Medical Oversight training courses offered at reputable emergency medical services training centers. Citywide CPR is one of them and you can get to know more of this training center at citywidecpr.com. Start your AED Program Management and AED Medical Oversight training now!
