New Survey: Americans Now Expect to Find Automated External Defibrillators in a Wide Range of Everyday Locations

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- CardioReady, a national leader in helping organizations to prevent fatalities from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), today announced the results of a new national survey, which it commissioned Harris Interactive to conduct in December 2013.  This survey aimed at gaining a broader understanding of Americans' expectations regarding the locations of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).

The omnibus survey, which polled a representative sample of the U.S. population, concluded that more than half of all Americans expect AEDs to be readily available in airports, fitness clubs, stadiums, schools, shopping malls, factories and manufacturing facilities, hotels, offices / office buildings, and theaters / concert halls. 

Key findings from the survey include:

• More than 3 in 4 Americans expect to find AEDs in airports
• Approximately 7 in 10 Americans expect to find AEDs in fitness clubs and stadiums
• More than 3 in 5 Americans expect to find AEDs in schools as well as shopping malls
• 1 in every 2 Americans expect to find AEDs in the following:
  • Hotels
  • Factories and manufacturing facilities
  • Offices and office buildings
  • Theaters and concert halls
• 2 in every 5 Americans expect to find AEDs in Restaurants
• 1 in every 3 Americans expect to find AEDs in Retail and Grocery Stores

"Sudden Cardiac Arrest is one of our nation's most prevalent and rapidly growing health risks.  Unfortunately, it is also a risk for which many locations in America are wholly unprepared," said Dr. Kevin Campbell, Chief Medical Officer of CardioReady.  "Despite this, I believe that the Harris results reflect an understanding that AED proliferation is key to reducing the more than 350,000 annual SCA deaths in the U.S.  More importantly, the results confirm that the majority of Americans expect AEDs to be available in many businesses and public sites when needed.  This insight should serve as a catalyst for action. Prompt activation of an AED and CPR is the difference between saving a life and losing one.  Now, with our understanding that Americans expect widespread access to this life saving equipment, as a society, we need to work to ensure that public expectations and reality continue to become more closely aligned, enhancing our collective ability to save lives."  

"As more Americans understand the prevalence of SCA and the treatment options, it is our hope that AED availability, coupled with appropriate training, continues to advance and become the customary norm," said John Ehinger, CEO of CardioReady.  "This research should serve as an eye-opener to organizations across the country, particularly businesses. With the research demonstrating strong consensus across a range of demographics, it is clear that the full spectrum of customers and employees now expect a certain standard of care, and the ability of companies to meet these expectations will be fundamental to their efforts to attract and retain both business and talent."

For more information about CardioReady, please visit www.cardioready.com.

About CardioReady
Headquartered in suburban Philadelphia, CardioReady is an innovative company committed to improving survival from Sudden Cardiac Arrest.  With a team comprised of professionals skilled in medicine, risk management, and emergency response services, CardioReady offers its clients true turn-key solutions to save lives and manage exposure to cardiac incidents across North America.

SOURCE CardioReady