Identity
Rationale
Liability
Operations
Miscellaneous
Identity
Q: Is this an AED? ..back to top..
A: No. SafetyMate® is NOT an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Whereas AEDs are used to shock the heart of victims in sudden cardiac arrest, SafetyMate is an Emergency Instruction Device (EID) that provides verbal First Aid and CPR information and instructions only.
Q: What is SafetyMate? ..back to top..
SafetyMate is a portable, battery-powered electronic device (about the size of a desktop phone) that instantaneously offers audible delivery of emergency first aid instructions. The instructions within SafetyMate are developed from the most recently updated and internationally accepted Emergency Cardiovascular Care [ECC] and First Aid Guidelines. The user simply starts by pressing the appropriate Emergency Information button on the SafetyMate keypad. By asking yes / no questions, SafetyMate's interactive capability audibly guides the user through the proper steps of care, providing an immediate and efficient way for anyone refresh the information they have learned about how to respond to a variety of medical emergency situations. SafetyMate has been designed to meet the specific needs and critical demands of the commercial and school safety markets.
Q: Who should use SafetyMate? ..back to top..
A: SafetyMate is for everyone. SafetyMate teaches the proper procedures to be followed during an actual medical emergency. The protocols used in the SafetyMate complement the First Aid and CPR course content taught by American Heart Association and other leading training organizations. SafetyMate is especially applicable for businesses that are required to demonstrate emergency medical preparedness for the welfare of their employees and patrons. Constant re-education is required for individuals to be proficient with emergency response skills and to maintain their certification. SafetyMate offers the opportunity to refresh your skills at any time, in any location, to reinforce the proper procedures, and to promote preparedness in the case of an actual emergency.
Q: Is SafetyMate designed to handle all types of emergencies? ..back to top..
A:While no one product can cover all potential emergencies, SafetyMate is designed to handle the most common types of emergencies through a diversified family of products. SafetyMate has different product models to serve the specific needs of a particular market. For instance, environments that are more likely to experience pediatric (child) emergencies can purchase a SafetyMate that is programmed to their specific needs (i.e. Asthma, Bites/Stings, Poison). An adult-oriented workplace can purchase the model that focuses on instructions more appropriate for their needs (i.e. Amputation, Chest Pain, Homeland Security).
Rationale
Q: Why is there a need for SafetyMate? ..back to top..
A: In the United States, approximately 400,000 medical emergencies occur daily, 60,000,000 injury accidents happen yearly and 183,000,000 911 calls are made annually. SafetyMate is designed to give individuals both proper instructions and the confidence to know what to do in a moment of crisis. Current trends indicate increasing response times of 911 personnel, decreasing numbers of qualified emergency medical personnel and Emergency Departments, increasing numbers of medical emergencies, nursing shortages at hospitals, as well as at all levels of primary education, and severe emergency room overcrowding. The combination of these key indicators points to the necessity for individuals to be ready to take proper and immediate action in case of a medical emergency. The presence of SafetyMate provides peace of mind that anyone can be trained and ready to take necessary life-saving action
Q: We have a person trained in CPR, isn’t that enough? ..back to top..
A: A substantial body of research and related literature show that basic CPR skills deteriorate at a rapid rate following CPR instruction. Within weeks of training classes, substantial numbers of class attendees no longer meet established standards. These findings hold true not only for laypersons, but for all levels of healthcare personnel as well, throughout the United States and internationally, and have been confirmed for nearly 30 years.
SafetyMate provides an innovative way for individuals to refresh their skills and knowledge and to be prepared to take action in most medical emergencies. The SafetyMate is designed to increase the quality and standard of care that both trained and untrained responders can provide. High-quality bystander CPR can double or triple survival rates from cardiac arrest. However, less than one-third of cardiac arrest victims receive bystander CPR at all, and even less than that receive high-quality CPR. On-going education and skills practice sessions with SafetyMate's Emergency Instruction Device will assist with ability to recall and to perform first aid and CPR skills
Liability
Q: Will I be at risk to assist someone in a medical emergency? ..back to top..
A: Volunteers acting as a first responder to a medical emergency are protected under "Good Samaritan" legislation, which have been enacted in all 50 states. These laws protect people who willingly provide emergency care to an ill or injured victim in emergency situations. Each state's laws are slightly different, so for more specific questions, contact a legal professional or check with your local library.
Operations
Q: How does SafetyMate work? ..back to top..
A: SafetyMate features individually labeled Emergency Information Buttons with headings such as Unresponsive/CPR, Choking, Convulsions and more. The user simply presses the appropriate Emergency Information button on the keypad to start a sequence of questions. Both proprietary technology and an advanced software platform offer interactive immediacy, as the user answers yes / no questions about the victim's current symptoms and status by pressing the green "yes" button or the red "no" button. For instance, the device may ask, "Is the victim responsive?" The rescuer responds by pressing "yes" or "no" on the SafetyMate. All of the buttons are clearly labeled. By simply answering each question, the software in the SafetyMate uses a logic tree to train the user how to take critical life-saving action to stabilize the victim until qualified medical help arrives.
Q: I don’t know if I will be able to do what SafetyMate tells me to do. ..back to top..
A: The information that SafetyMate provides is basic First Aid practices that are similar to information provided in First Aid and CPR training classes taught by the leading training organizations. It is presented as clearly as possible and is generally presented at approximately a 6th grade reading level so nearly everyone can understand it and follow the instructions. In some cases, you will be asked to simply observe and report, while in others (such as CPR), you are instructed to take simple but specific actions. You may also be asked to prevent further injury by removing potential hazards. And, in some cases, SafetyMate will tell you what you should NOT do that could cause further injury. In all cases, it is no different than what professional first responders would advise you to do if they were there guiding you. By following these instructions, it is very possible that you can prevent more serious injury to the victim, and/or even save a life. In all cases, the first thing to do is phone 911 or your emergency response number to alert professional help. Studies have shown that in real emergencies, responders following prompting instructions perform more effectively than those who have been trained but may forget their training under actual emergency conditions. SafetyMate allows the user to PAUSE and RESUME the instructions, or even REPEAT missed information
Q: Is SafetyMate waterproof? ..back to top..
A: No. Neither the SafetyMate SM303 nor SM352 is waterproof. SafetyMate is designed to be mounted indoors, in locations protected from direct contact with water or other liquids. It is not sealed and if water enters the device, failure can result.
Q: Why does SafetyMate start speaking when I’m transporting it? ..back to top..
A: Normally, SafetyMate is meant to be stored in its charging cradle awaiting use. If you carry SafetyMate in a briefcase or backpack, it is likely that one of the keys will be accidentally depressed, causing SafetyMate to begin speaking. If you plan to transport SafetyMate, we suggest transporting it in its shipping carton, or removing one of the batteries to prevent it from speaking while be transported. Be sure to replace the batteries before use. Also, if regularly transporting SafetyMate, we recommend using alkaline batteries, and not the included NiCad rechargeable batteries to prevent false Low Battery warnings. If shipping SafetyMate, we recommend removing the batteries for shipment.
Q: Sometimes I hear different messages when I press a key twice. ..back to top..
A: SafetyMate has a “preamble” statement that provides basic operation guidelines and instructions the first time you press a key. This can be heard if you press the POWER key or any of the Emergency Information keys while SafetyMate is off. You can interrupt this “preamble” and go directly to the protocol by pressing any Emergency Information key while it is speaking the preamble. The preamble will stop and you will go directly to the protocol selected.
Q: SafetyMate has a REPEAT button, but not a “forward” button. Why can’t I go forward in the information? ..back to top..
A: It is possible that you might miss a critical question and answer that would affect recommended actions or you might miss critical first aid instructions if you were to skip forward. SafetyMate can ONLY go back. ..back to top..
Q: When I press the REPEAT key, sometimes it returns to the beginning of the information?
A: When you press the REPEAT key, SafetyMate either goes back to the last question, or to the beginning of that protocol. The amount it goes back varies depending on how long the protocol information is, and where SafetyMate was in delivering this information when the REPEAT key was pressed.
Q: My SafetyMate is making a chirping noise. What does this mean? ..back to top..
A: If SafetyMate is making a chirping noise, the batteries are low and need recharging or replacement. If NiCad batteries are installed, be sure the SafetyMate is connected to the charging cradle or AC adapter. At the first indication of a low battery, SafetyMate will also provide a spoken battery warning when it is turned ON or OFF, and the Battery LED will blink RED indicating a low battery.
Q: What type of batteries does SafetyMate use? ..back to top..
A: SafetyMate requires 4-AA batteries. Included with SafetyMate are 4-AA NiCad rechargeable batteries. These are recommended for most situations. You can also use AA Alkaline batteries in SafetyMate as a backup, or for locations where you are not able to recharge SafetyMate. If you use alkaline batteries in SafetyMate, DO NOT connect it to the charging cradle or AC adapter as alkaline batteries are not designed for recharging, and risk of fire or battery explosion could result. Also, DO NOT use Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH), or Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) batteries in SafetyMate models SM303 or SM352. These models are designed for NiCad or alkaline batteries ONLY. NiMH and Li-Ion batteries require a different charging technique and risk of fire or battery explosion could occur. In all cases, please dispose of used batteries according to any local requirements or guidelines. We recommend recycling used batteries.
Q: Are replacement parts available? ..back to top..
A: Yes, some replacement parts and accessories are available from SafetyMate. Contact SafetyMate for the following: replacement NiCad batteries, charging kit which includes mounting cradle and hardware, AC Adapter, accessories including a cigarette lighter vehicle charger and permanent installation vehicle cable/kit
Q: Can I charge SafetyMate in my car, boat, or other vehicle? ..back to top..
A: Yes, SafetyMate offers two different cables for vehicle charging from 12V DC. For recharging in a car, SafetyMate offers a coiled cable that plugs into the cigarette lighter. For permanent installation in a bus or boat, SafetyMate offers a wiring harness that can directly connect to the vehicle’s electrical system. Contact SafetyMate at 800-439-8995 for ordering and pricing information.
Q: What does the HOMELAND SECURITY button on the SM303 mean? ..back to top..
A: SafetyMate model SM303 has a button labeled, "Homeland Security" that provides information derived from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's recommended guidelines as to what you should do in the following situations: Chemical, Radiation, and Biological Threats, and Explosions. These are not medical or first aid instructions, but rather recommendations of actions to take in these situations.
Q: Are other languages besides English and Spanish available? ..back to top..
A: Not at this time. Check with SafetyMate time to time for new product information.
Miscellaneous
Q: Is SafetyMate regulated by the FDA? ..back to top..
A: No. When SafetyMate is offered by itself and is not packaged with any other medical supplies, it is considered an information device only (like a talking First Aid manual), and is not regulated by the FDA, or any other medical agency. SafetyMate is, however, compliant with requirements for Consumer Electronics as defined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC part 15), Underwriters Laboratories (U.L.), and the European Union (EC). No license or special training is required to operate and use SafetyMate.
Q: Can the information in my SafetyMate be updated if first aid practices change in the future? ..back to top..
A: Yes, the protocol information is stored inside the SafetyMate on a SD FLASH Memory card, similar to those used in digital cameras. Check the SafetyMate website from time to time to see if updates have been announced for your device.
Q: Who do I contact to learn more about SafetyMate? ..back to top..
SafetyMate, Inc.
1642 McGaw Avenue
Irvine, CA 92614
Tel: 949-252-1570
Toll Free: 1-800-439-8995
Fax: 949-955-3529
Email: info@safetymate.com
