Defibrillators

1. A defibrillator comprising:

electrodes configured to be attached to a patient, to acquire data indicative of the patient's heart rhythm and to deliver a defibrillating shock if appropriate;

a defibrillator control box connected to the electrodes; and

on a portion of the defibrillator control box, a series of electronically-displayed graphics configured to prompt a caregiver to perform a sequence of steps appropriate for treating a victim of suspected cardiac arrest,

a plurality of light sources positioned and configured so that illumination of each light source draws attention to a different one or a different group of the graphics in the series of electronically-displayed graphics;

wherein the defibrillator is capable of having its power turned on to activate it, and further comprising electronics configured to measure the time elapsed from the time at which the caregiver turned the power on to activate the defibrillator, and wherein the electronics are configured so that at least a plurality of the light sources are sequentially illuminated based on the elapsed time independently of user action.

2. The defibrillator of claim 1 wherein the graphics include a picture that includes at least a portion of a user's hand depressing a treatment button to prompt the caregiver to press the treatment button to cause the defibrillator to administer a defibrillating shock.

3. The defibrillator of claim 2 wherein the picture includes a heart symbol indicating the location of the treatment button.

4. The defibrillator of claim 1 wherein the graphics include one or more pictures selected from the group consisting of: a picture configured to prompt the caregiver to check the patient for responsiveness; a picture configured to prompt the caregiver to call for emergency assistance; a picture configured to prompt the caregiver to open the patient's airway; a picture configured to prompt the caregiver to check the patient for signs of circulation; a picture configured to prompt the caregiver to attach the electrodes to the patient; a picture configured to prompt the caregiver to stand clear of the patient; and a picture configured to prompt the caregiver to perform CPR.

5. The defibrillator of claim 1 wherein the defibrillator further comprises a cover portion, and at least some of the graphics are provided on the cover portion of the defibrillator control box.

6. The defibrillator of claim 5 wherein at least some of the graphics are provided on the outside of the cover portion of the defibrillator.

7. The defibrillator of claim 6 wherein the graphics on the cover portion include a picture indicating that the cover should be removed from the defibrillator.

8. The defibrillator of claim 6 wherein the cover portion includes a space provided for local emergency information.

9. The defibrillator of claim 8 wherein the cover portion includes a window behind which a card bearing local emergency information can be placed.

10. The defibrillator of claim 1 wherein the graphics include one or more pictures indicating that the caregiver should place a passive airway support under the shoulders of the patient.

11. The defibrillator of claim 3 wherein the picture includes at least a portion of a hand and finger on or adjacent to the heart symbol indicating that the symbol is intended to be pressed.

12. The defibrillator of claim 1 wherein at least some of the light sources are separate from the electronically-displayed graphics with which they are associated.