Each year in the U.S., there are about 350,000 cases of sudden death, where the heart's electric system causes an irregular heartbeat. Researchers suggest putting a device called a defibrillator in more public places. A defibrillator can shock a sick heart back into a normal heartbeat pattern and could saved roughly 35,000 lives. If someone uses a defibrillator on 10 patients within two minutes of the start of trouble, five would be expected to live. Test programs are training police officers and flight attendants on how to use portable defibrillators.
Organizers say many lives have been saved.
They add the novice-friendly equipment has not delivered a shock when it wasn't needed. All rights reserved. All rights reserved.