Rotaid makes AEDs quickly deployable

'Telerex always thinks along with us'

AEDs should always be available quickly and 24/7, whether on a shopping street, at a petrol station or at the beach. Rotaid AED Cabinets therefore designed a unique, recognisable AED cabinet that can be opened in one rotation. Telerex contributes to the deployability of AEDs with proper power supplies.

With a cardiac arrest, the first six minutes are crucial to the victim's chances of survival. Within that time, bystanders should call the emergency number, start CPR and use an automated external defibrillator (AED). The faster this AED is deployed, the greater the victim's chances of survival.

'In those six minutes, you don't want to have to think about how to open a cabinet,' says Jeffrey Bosdriesz, marketing manager at Rotaid.

Round AED cabinet

'Our Rotaid will become the global symbol for an AED,' Bosdriesz continues. 'The shape is based on that of the lifebuoy: everyone knows what it is and how to use it.' With over 50,000 AED cabinets now installed in more than 65 countries, Rotaid is well on its way to fulfilling that mission.

If it were up to Rotaid, AEDs would always be easy to find and accessible. And preferably available to everyone 24/7. 'They often hang inside, in places that are locked up at night so you can't access them,' states Dani Wientjens, project manager at Rotaid.

To fulfil their vision, the Venray-based company has been developing its round AED cabinets for more than 15 years. The latest model, the Rotaid 24/7, is a connected solution with an integrated AED management system. This model sends out notifications when the AED needs to be checked. This way, the owner is always sure of the AED's deployability. These, and many other applications, make this the most reliable AED cabinet on the market today.

Heating element

Rotaid's 'outdoor' models feature a heating element. 'If the battery of the AED freezes, there is a risk that the AED will no longer function properly or not at all,' Bosdriesz explains. 'Also, the electrodes may no longer stick properly if the gel has been frozen.'

Because of the heating element in the Rotaid cabinets, temperatures up to minus 20℃ are no problem. A 24VDC power supply from Mean Well provides the required voltages and currents. This power supply is also needed for the motherboard in the AED cabinet of the Rotaid 24/7.

Power supply on demand

A key requirement of Rotaid's power supply is that it must be capable of delivering a peak power rating of 90 watts. 'In operation, the heating element requires 80 watts, but when turned on, it requires 90 watts,' Bosdriesz says. In addition, Rotaid places high demands on the reliability of the power supply to ensure that the heating element always works, and the AED is ready for use.

These requirements led to the choice of Mean Well power supplies years ago. Rotaid relies on Telerex for a reliable delivery of power supplies. 'We prefer not to keep large inventories. That's what Telerex does for us. We can then simply order the power supplies, when we want them, and in the quantities we want,' Bosdriesz explains. 'And should Mean Well's power supplies be unavailable for any reason, Telerex has an alternative in reserve. They always provide input.'

Local partner

'We also like the fact that we can connect with a local partner, rather than a manufacturer abroad,' Wientjens adds. 'The contact with Telerex is simply excellent. Deliveries are fast, and the agreements made are clear. And if anything, it helps that they are an hour's drive from our office.'

According to Bosdriesz, there is even a special click with Shahab Lolo, Field Sales Manager of Power Supplies at Telerex. 'Shahab has had experience with an AED himself and sees the importance of our solution. He recommends that companies take proactive steps to fulfill their social responsibility by installing an AED. Preferably, of course, in a nice round cabinet.'