They believe defibrillators should be available in many places such as factories, health clubs, apartment buildings and private homes and to be used by a variety of people who are not health care professionals. Approximately half of all people who have heart disease die without warning. Many of these people never knew they had heart disease. Cardiac arrest can occur in people who do not have a heart attack. Clogged arteries can cause the heart's electrical impulses to become disorganized, resulting in ventricular fibrillation.
Ventricular fibrillation can last up to five minutes.
An electric shock from a defibrillator reorganizes the electrical impulses so the heart can resume its normal beating. The argument for widespread use of defibrillators has been made possible by the development of a new wave of defibrillators that are easier to use and can be operated by almost anyone. Defibrillators currently are only approved for prescription use and most states allow only doctors and persons authorized by doctors to operate the machines. Despite the ongoing debate, some companies are choosing to purchase defibrillators to help ensure the safety of their clients and workers. American Airlines is the first airline to equip all of its planes with defibrillators.