Editing Automated external defibrillator (section)

==Usage==
===Simplicity of use===
[[Image:Defibrilation electrode placement svg hariadhi.svg|thumb|right|200px|Usual placement of pads on chest]]
Unlike regular [[defibrillator]]s, an automated external defibrillator (AED) requires minimal training to be used (or even no training). That is possible because all AEDs approved for use in the [[United States]] and many other countries use an electronic voice to prompt users through each step. Many AEDs now include visual prompts in case of a [[hearing impairment|hearing impaired]] user. Most units are designed for use by non-medical operators. Their ease of use has given rise to the notion of public access defibrillation (PAD).

An AED automatically diagnoses the heart rhythm and determines if a shock is needed. Automatic models will administer the shock without the user's command. Semi-automatic models will tell the user that a shock is needed, but the user must tell the machine to do so, usually by pressing a button. In most circumstances, the user cannot override a "no shock" advisory by an AED. Some AEDs may be used on children – those under 55&nbsp;lbs (25&nbsp;kg) in weight or under age 8. If a particular model of AED is approved for pediatric use, {{failed verification span|all that is required is the use of more appropriate pads|date=January 2024}}.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.seton.co.uk/aeds |title= AEDS Guide }} Monday, March 16, 2020</ref>

===Benefit===
Observational studies have shown that in out of hospital cardiac arrest, public access defibrillators when used were associated with 40% median survival. When operated by non-dispatched lay first responders they have the highest likelihood of leading to survival.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Effects of Public Access Defibrillation on Survival After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies|last1=Bækgaard|first1=Josefine S.|last2=Viereck|first2=Søren|last3=Møller|first3=Thea Palsgaard|last4=Ersbøl|journal=Circulation |year=2017 |volume=136 |issue=10 |pages=954–965 |doi=10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.029067 |pmid=28687709|s2cid=21249432 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

===Liability===
====United States====
Automated external defibrillators are now easy enough to use that most states in the United States include the "good faith" use of an AED by any person under [[Good Samaritan law]]s.<ref>[http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20021016123247/http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/aed.htm Laws on Cardiac Arrest and Defibrillators, 2013 update.] National Conference of State Legislatures.   Retrieved on 2013-03-18.</ref> "Good faith" protection under a Good Samaritan law means that a volunteer responder (not acting as a part of one's occupation) cannot be held civilly liable for the harm or death of a victim by providing improper or inadequate care, given that the harm or death was not intentional and the responder was acting within the limits of their training and in good faith. In the United States, Good Samaritan laws provide some protection for the use of AEDs by trained and untrained responders.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/aed.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2007-07-22 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20021016123247/http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/aed.htm |archive-date=2002-10-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref> AEDs create little liability if used correctly;<ref>[http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=14506 Laws on Cardiac Arrest and Defibrillators]</ref> NREMT-B and many state [[Emergency Medical Technician]] (EMT) training and many CPR classes incorporate or offer AED education as a part of their program.

====Canada====
In addition to Good Samaritan laws, Ontario, Canada also has the "[[Chase McEachern]] Act (Heart Defibrillator Civil Liability), 2007 (Bill 171 – Subsection N)", passed in June, 2007,<ref>[http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_07c10_e.htm Health System Improvement Act, 2007] Retrieved on 26 June 2007</ref> which protects individuals from liability for damages that may occur from their use of an AED to save someone's life at the immediate scene of an emergency unless damages are caused by gross negligence.

====Australia====
Legislation in Australia varies by state, with separate liability issues relating to providing and using AED equipment.  
Each state and territory has enacted "Good Samaritan" laws that offer legal protection to a person who gives assistance in a medical emergency - the standard of care expected corresponds to their training (or lack of training).<ref>{{cite web |title=Legal and Ethical Issues Related to Resuscitation - Section 10: Guideline 10.5 |url=http://resus.org.au/download/section_10/guideline-10-5-nov-2015.pdf |publisher=Australian Resuscitation Council |access-date=16 October 2020 |date=2015}}</ref>
In New South Wales, the Work Health and Safety Regulation (2011) requires an employer to use a risk assessment to ensure that there is adequate provision for first aid; when there is a sufficient risk it warrants providing a defibrillator.<ref>{{cite web |title=Work Health and Safety Act 2011 No 10 |url=https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2011-010 |website=legislation.nsw.gov.au |access-date=16 October 2020}}</ref>

===Reliability===
In 2012, AED's (automated external defibrillators) were under scrutiny by the U.S. [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) which considered reclassifying AEDs as class III [[premarket approval]] devices. Technical malfunctions likely contributed to more than 750 deaths in the 5-year period between 2004 and 2009, in most cases by component failures or design errors. During the same period, up to 70 types of AEDs were recalled, including recalls from every AED manufacturer in the world. 
<ref>{{cite web|title=The Shocking Truth About Defibrillators|publisher=[[IEEE Spectrum]], March 2012. Retrieved 2012-07-28|url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/biomedical/devices/the-shocking-truth-about-defibrillators/0|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415062356/http://spectrum.ieee.org/biomedical/devices/the-shocking-truth-about-defibrillators/0|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 15, 2013|date=2012-02-27}}</ref>

In January and February 2015, the FDA issued this news release: "The FDA issued a final order that will require AED manufacturers to submit premarket approval applications (PMAs), which undergo a more rigorous review than what was required to market these devices in the past. The agency's strengthened review will focus on the critical requirements needed to ensure the safety and reliability of AEDs and their necessary accessories, including batteries, pad electrodes, adapters and hardware keys for pediatric use."<ref>{{cite web|title=FDA takes steps to improve reliability of automated external defibrillators|publisher=[[FDA News Release]], January 2015. Retrieved 2017-07-15|url=https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm431907.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150131045045/http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm431907.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 31, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Effective Date of Requirement for Premarket Approval for Automated External Defibrillator Systems; Republication|publisher=[[Federal Register]], February 3, 2015. Retrieved 2017-07-15|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/02/03/2015-02049/effective-date-of-requirement-for-premarket-approval-for-automated-external-defibrillator-systems|date=2015-02-03}}</ref>

In the United Kingdom there is concern that poor maintenance may make public defibrillators unreliable.  The ''[[Henley Standard]]'' reported on 21 July 2017 that more than half the defibrillators in [[Henley-on-Thames]] and the surrounding area were at risk of failing, either because of low battery power or because adhesive pads had deteriorated.<ref>{{cite news|last1=White|first1=David|title=Life-savers out of date|publisher=Henley Standard|date=21 July 2017}}</ref>