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Abstract

Numerous studies affirm the benefit of rapid defibrillation with AEDs. Most of the data have been acquired in emergency medical response systems with EMTs or firefighters providing defibrillation. Yet interest is growing in the provision of rapid defibrillation by other responders, including security officers, flight attendants and laypersons trained as targeted responders. This expansion is embraced in community early defibrillation. A multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled trial was recently launched to define the benefit of community early defibrillation. Data from this trial will likely identify the most effective deployment of AEDs, frequency and appropriateness of use, time of defibrillation before EMS arrival, device maintenance issues and--most importantly--survival benefit when compared with control groups without AEDs.