Evaluation of public access defibrillation

Public access defibrillation is a sound theoretical concept to improve the time of defibrillation for out-of-the hospital cardiac arrest victims. New smaller, lighter, and less expensive automatic external defibrillators have set the stage for wider public involvement in the definitive treatment of cardiac arrest. Increasing experience with these devices in the public sector supports their effectiveness and utility. Successful experiences with automatic external defibrillator use have been reported by firefighters, police officers, airline personnel, security guards, and employees of the Chicago Airport Authority. The necessary training needed by laypersons to successfully save a life with these devices may be less than first anticipated. A long-awaited randomized, controlled trial of their use by nonmedical first responders is now under way. (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Inc.