April 3, 2008 Ottawa - Results of a recent study into the effectiveness of having a defibrillator at home were recently released in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study of more than 7,000 patients at risk of suffering a cardiac arrest showed little difference in survival rates between those who had defibrillators at home and those who did not have the devices.

The number of casualties in the study who had a cardiac arrest was small. However, in those in whom the device was used, slightly more than 28 per cent survived. It is important to emphasize that this was a study of having an AED at home only; not in offices, industrial facilities, or gathering places (malls, airports, arena, etc...) where large numbers of people congregate every day and where public access defibrillation [PAD] has proven to be effective.

Please note - Ample research shows the benefits of automated external defibrillators in cardiac arrest situations, particularly when combined with immediate CPR and early administration of shocks.  St. John Ambulance continues to support the use of defibrillators, particularly in public areas and in the workplace and remains committed to increasing the number of people trained to use these life-saving devices.

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For more information on AED at SJA click here
For more information, please contact:

Les Johnson
613-236-1283 ext 261
Ottawa, Ontario