Activating volunteer system increases bystander CPR and AED use, improves survival

People suffering from sudden cardiac arrest are more likely to survive if cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators (AED) are used as soon as possible. However, in an out-of-hospital setting survival rates are low, due to delays in care and low uptake of bystander CPR and AED use. Alerting nearby volunteers of the need for help when a person in the community goes into cardiac arrest increases rates of bystander CPR and defibrillation and improved survival rates, according to a study published today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.