Lesson 1Battery and mains checks, capacitor readiness, and pad expiration/impedance verificationConcentrates on confirming power sources and energy delivery preparedness, such as mains links, battery state, capacitor operation, and pad expiry and impedance checks for effective shock provision.
Mains power and socket safety verificationsBattery charge and age assessmentCapacitor charge and discharge testsPad expiry date and packaging inspectionImpedance confirmation and recordsLesson 2Post-use procedures: data download, event log preservation, battery recharge, pad replacement, and ECS (external cleaning and disinfection)Details organised post-use processes, including data retrieval, event log safeguarding, battery charging, pad swaps, and full external cleaning and disinfection to comply with infection control and legal standards.
Retrieving and securing event dataSafeguarding and backing up event logsBattery charging and readiness checksPad replacement and inventory rotationExternal cleaning and disinfection stepsLesson 3Defibrillator capabilities: manual vs semi-automatic, monitoring, pacing, energy selection, and pads vs paddlesContrasts manual and semi-automatic defibrillator features, including monitoring, pacing, energy choices, and pads versus paddles, aiding clinicians in selecting and setting the appropriate mode for scenarios.
Manual vs semi-automatic processesECG monitoring and display choicesTranscutaneous pacing setup essentialsEnergy selection and waveform varietiesPads vs paddles: advantages and drawbacksLesson 4Setting energy levels, synchronized cardioversion basics, and pediatric energy/adaptive settingsCovers choosing suitable energy levels, safe synchronised cardioversion application, and paediatric adjustments, including weight-based dosing and paediatric pads or attenuators if provided.
Adult biphasic energy basicsSynchronised cardioversion indicationsConfiguring and verifying sync modePaediatric energy dosing guidelinesUsing paediatric pads and attenuatorsLesson 5Troubleshooting scenarios: failure to charge, no shock delivered, electrode not recognized — causes, nurse checks, and when to stop using device and call technical supportSupplies organised troubleshooting for key failures like charging issues, no shock output, or undetected electrodes, listing causes, nurse checks, and criteria for device withdrawal and technical referral.
Charging failure: quick assessment stepsNo shock output: cause tracingElectrode undetected: pad and cable checksWhen to take device out of serviceReferring to technical and supplier supportLesson 6Safety rules during defibrillation (clear zone, oxygen management, team communication) and storage/transport careReviews critical safety protocols during defibrillation, such as clear zones, oxygen handling, team coordination, and safe storage and transport to shield patients and equipment.
Clear zone and no-touch confirmationSafe oxygen and airway device positioningTeam communication signalsSafe storage conditions and labellingTransport safeguards and device securingLesson 7Routine maintenance schedule, periodic testing, and liaison with biomedical team for capacitor servicingExplains scheduling and recording routine defibrillator maintenance, conducting planned tests, and working with biomedical engineering for capacitor servicing to ensure reliability and compliance.
Daily visual and functional inspectionsWeekly and monthly performance testsRecording maintenance and test outcomesArranging service with biomedical teamCapacitor condition evaluation and servicingLesson 8Pre-use readiness checklist: self-test, electrode/pad inspection, cable integrity, and consumables inventoryPresents a systematic pre-use checklist, including self-test review, electrode and cable inspections, accessory and consumable verifications, and documentation for emergency readiness.
Reviewing self-test indicators and logsInspecting pads, cables, and connectorsChecking paddles and gel supplyVerifying consumables and spare padsRecording readiness and noting issuesLesson 9Stepwise shock workflow for semi-automatic and manual modes: analyze, charge, clear, deliver, and post-shock monitoringDetails the step-by-step shock process for semi-automatic and manual modes, from rhythm check and charging to safety clearance, shock administration, and bedside post-shock monitoring and records.
Rhythm analysis and shockable checkCharging steps and safety verificationsClear announcement and visual safety checkShock administration technique and timingPost-shock monitoring proceduresLesson 10Common device alerts (pad contact, high impedance, low battery, charge faults) and bedside checks to resolve themExplains typical defibrillator alerts, their clinical and technical meanings, and bedside verifications to fix pad, impedance, battery, and charging problems, reducing delays in critical shocks.
Pad contact and placement alertsHigh impedance and poor adhesion causesLow battery alerts and reactionsCharge fault messages and quick verificationsBedside steps before support call
