Lesson 1Battery and mains checks, capacitor readiness, and pad expiration/impedance verificationFocuses on verifying power sources and energy delivery readiness, including mains connection, battery status, capacitor function, and pad expiration and impedance checks, to ensure the device can deliver effective shocks when needed.
Mains power and outlet safety checksBattery charge level and age reviewCapacitor charge and discharge testsPad expiration date and packaging checkImpedance verification and documentationLesson 2Post-use procedures: data download, event log preservation, battery recharge, pad replacement, and ECS (external cleaning and disinfection)Covers structured post-use workflows, including secure data download, event log preservation, battery recharging, pad replacement, and thorough external cleaning and disinfection to meet infection control and legal documentation standards.
Downloading and securing event dataPreserving and backing up event logsBattery recharge and readiness checksPad replacement and stock rotationExternal cleaning and disinfection stepsLesson 3Defibrillator capabilities: manual vs semi-automatic, monitoring, pacing, energy selection, and pads vs paddlesCompares manual and semi-automatic defibrillator capabilities, including monitoring, pacing, energy selection, and use of pads versus paddles, helping clinicians choose and configure the right mode for each clinical scenario.
Manual versus semi-automatic workflowsECG monitoring and display optionsTranscutaneous pacing setup basicsEnergy selection and waveform typesPads versus paddles: pros and consLesson 4Setting energy levels, synchronised cardioversion basics, and paediatric energy/adaptive settingsExplains how to select appropriate energy levels, apply synchronised cardioversion safely, and adjust settings for paediatric patients, including weight-based dosing and use of paediatric pads or attenuators where available.
Adult biphasic energy selection basicsSynchronised cardioversion indicationsSetting and confirming sync modePaediatric energy dosing principlesUse of paediatric pads and attenuatorsLesson 5Troubleshooting scenarios: failure to charge, no shock delivered, electrode not recognised — causes, nurse checks, and when to stop using device and call technical supportProvides structured troubleshooting for critical failures such as inability to charge, no shock delivery, or unrecognised electrodes, outlining likely causes, nurse-level checks, and clear criteria for device removal and technical escalation.
Failure to charge: rapid assessment stepsNo shock delivered: tracing the causeElectrode not recognised: pad and cableWhen to remove device from serviceEscalating to technical and vendor supportLesson 6Safety rules during defibrillation (clear zone, oxygen management, team communication) and storage/transport careReviews essential safety rules during defibrillation, including maintaining a clear zone, managing oxygen sources, coordinating team communication, and ensuring safe storage and transport to protect both patients and equipment.
Clear zone and no-touch verificationSafe oxygen and airway device placementClosed-loop team communication cuesSafe storage conditions and labellingTransport precautions and securing deviceLesson 7Routine maintenance schedule, periodic testing, and liaison with biomedical team for capacitor servicingExplains how to plan and document routine defibrillator maintenance, perform scheduled functional tests, and coordinate with biomedical engineering for capacitor checks, ensuring long-term reliability and regulatory compliance.
Daily visual and functional checksWeekly and monthly performance testsDocumenting maintenance and test resultsCoordinating service with biomedical teamCapacitor health assessment and servicingLesson 8Pre-use readiness checklist: self-test, electrode/pad inspection, cable integrity, and consumables inventoryDescribes a systematic pre-use checklist, including review of self-test indicators, inspection of electrodes and cables, verification of accessories and consumables, and documentation, ensuring the defibrillator is immediately ready for emergencies.
Reviewing self-test indicators and logsInspecting pads, cables, and connectorsChecking paddles and gel availabilityVerifying consumables and spare padsDocumenting readiness and tagging issuesLesson 9Stepwise shock workflow for semi-automatic and manual modes: analyse, charge, clear, deliver, and post-shock monitoringOutlines the stepwise workflow for delivering shocks in semi-automatic and manual modes, from rhythm analysis and charging to safety clearing, shock delivery, and structured post-shock monitoring and documentation at the bedside.
Rhythm analysis and shockable rhythm checkCharging sequence and safety confirmationsClear call and visual safety sweepShock delivery technique and timingImmediate post-shock monitoring stepsLesson 10Common device alerts (pad contact, high impedance, low battery, charge faults) and bedside checks to resolve themDetails common defibrillator alerts, what they mean clinically and technically, and how bedside checks can quickly resolve issues with pads, impedance, battery status, and charging, minimising delays in life-saving shocks.
Pad contact and placement alertsHigh impedance and poor adhesion causesLow battery warnings and responsesCharge fault messages and quick checksBedside steps before calling support
