According to the American Heart Association, 7 in 10 cardiac arrests happen at home¹, with the balance occurring in public places. Immediate response to cardiac arrest with hands-only CPR and an AED, if available, can be the difference between life and death by tripling the chance of survival1. Considering the national average of EMS arrival is 6 to 13 minutes², bystanders are a critical bridge to survival when every minute counts.

For every minute that a victim goes without defibrillation, his/her chance for survival decreases by 10%.³ Having easily accessible AEDs allows on-site individuals to deliver potentially life-saving defibrillation therapy quickly and effectively.

Rescuers must remember that an AED will not shock a victim if a fatal heart rhythm is not detected, so you cannot hurt a person by attempting to deploy an AED—the device is specifically designed for a non-medical person to use. What’s more important to understand is that if nothing is done for a cardiac arrest victim, he/she will most likely die. Equipping schools and other places where youth congregate with AEDs and training people how to use the technology properly can provide a youth struck by SCA another chance at life.