Seven years’ experience with early defibrillation by police and paramedics in an emergency medical services system

Public-Access Defibrillation and Survival after Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

“…3,4 Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are safe and effective when used by trained public-safety personnel who have a duty to respond to medical emergencies. [5][6][7][8][9][10] However, it is unclear whether trained volunteer laypersons who do not have a duty to act could save additional lives by using AEDs in addition to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in patients who have had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.…”

Outcomes of Rapid Defibrillation by Security Officers after Cardiac Arrest in Casinos

“…11,12 Investigators subsequently advocated strategies to shorten the delay from collapse to electrical defibrillation by training and equipping for defibrillation new classes of responders with a variety of backgrounds. 13 Device manufacturers responded to the American Heart Association's public-access defibrillation initiative by producing automated external defibrillators that are simpler and less expensive and that require less maintenance than previous portable defibrillators.…”

Advances in Resuscitation

“…Early evidence was positive, demonstrating relatively high rates of ROSC and survival to hospital discharge when used by laypersons and emergency personnel for OHCA. 51,52 Efficacy has been demonstrated in such varied settings as casinos, in airports, and on board passenger aircraft. [53][54][55] Recent large population-based studies of public-access defibrillation (PAD) from Japan and the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium confirm a significant survival benefit in OHCA.…”