IN HR0095

Urges the Legislative Council to assign the Health Finance Commission to study the presence of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in the general public and their effect on improving public health

Identifies sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) as the leading cause of death in the United States, with approximately 15 percent of workplace deaths attributed to SCA according to OSHA

Cites survival rates showing 90% survival within the first minute of defibrillation shock, 70% within three minutes, and 50% within five minutes

Notes that victims of SCA have double the chance of survival when an AED is present compared to relying solely on CPR and first responders, according to National Institute of Health research

References endorsement of Public Access to Defibrillation programs by the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, American College of Emergency Physicians, insurance companies, and EMS organizations