Survey Reveals Critical Gap: 90% of Americans Want You—the Bystander—to Use an AED to Help Save Their Life in a Cardiac Emergency, But Less Than Half Believe They Have Same Responsibility. Many Still Don’t Know AEDs Offer Step-By-Step Instructions
With over 100,000 sudden cardiac arrests (SCA) occurring in public each year a lack of knowledge about how these devices empower bystanders in emergencies leaves many hesitant to act.
Americans are not aware of what AEDs really do, how they work or where to find them. Nearly half of Americans (46%) are surprised to learn an AED doesn’t just shock a victim, but offers real-time, easy-to-follow, step-by-step visual and audio instructions to a bystander on how to perform CPR and administer a shock if necessary.
With a widespread call for more bystander help and only 46% of Americans confident in their ability to use an AED, it's crucial to make AEDs as instinctive to use as calling 911 in an emergency.