The defibrillator, which is a device a little larger than a laptop computer, automatically analyzes heart rhythms and delivers an electric current to the heart of a cardiac arrest victim.
Defibrillators can restore a normal heart rhythm in persons suffering form sudden cardiac arrest.
The legislation would require the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to make recommendations on where to place defibrillators in federal buildings. The bill would also grant Good Samaritan protections to any person who provides emergency medical care through the use of the device, unless the person is grossly negligent or engaged in willful wanton misconduct. Having defibrillators available will allow a greater number of people access to equipment that can help save lives. Kennedy noted that only about five percent of victims of sudden cardiac arrest survive. Many of these victims could be saved with early CPR and the use of defibrillation.