By making AEDs more accessible to the general public, thousands of lives can be saved. Clinton said he would direct the Department of Health and Human Services and the General Services Administration to write guidelines for putting defibrillators in all federal buildings. The newest models are about the same size and price of a laptop computer, use voice commands to lead users through each step and deliver a shock only if necessary. About 5 percent survive. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation can buy time, but cannot restart a heart.
Defibrillators can jolt a heart into beating again.
Clinton also announced that the Federal Aviation Administration will soon require airlines to carry defibrillators on all domestic and international flights. Eight major and six regional airlines either now carry or have made a commitment to carry defibrillators, he said. Officials of American Airlines applauded Clinton's announcement, saying the devices have saved 11 passengers since they were installed on the carrier's planes in July 1997. Airlines will have three years to buy the defibrillators and develop training programs. Millennium Meeting was held in Arlington, Virginia, outside of Washington, DC from May 11 - 13.