Removing risk can encourage more AED use

Lawsuits have become commonplace in our society, so it is not surprising that some people fear taking actions to help people, even if it could save a life. Good intentions have sometimes not been rewarded.
 
That is why Gov. Janet Napolitano signed a "Good Samaritan" law Tuesday that ensures those who rush to help victims of possible heart attacks won't face potential liability. Specifically, it protects people who use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
 
The defibrillators are small portable devices that send a shock to a person's heart to either restart it or to put it in proper rhythm. They have been shown to save lives if they are used quickly after a person has a heart attack.
 
Defibrillators are routinely used by emergency crews and in health care environments where trained people know their value in saving lives. But the goal of the AED units is to allow ordinary untrained individuals to do the same thing.
 
The AED units are often installed at exercise clubs, in public buildings, on airplanes and even in private businesses. Once fairly expensive, they now have dropped as low as a more affordable $1,000. That makes them more attractive for those wanting to offer the potential protection.
 
There are two major obstacles to more widespread acceptance and use.
 
One, is fear that users or the recipients may be harmed by the shock. However, the devices have simple recorded instructions for users to follow and they only send a shock when they automatically detect that either the heart is not beating or it is in abnormal rhythm - otherwise, no shock.
 
The solution to that is education about the devices and possibly some elementary training.
 
The second fear is that users will be sued if something goes wrong or the heart attack victim dies despite using the AED.
 
The Arizona Legislature and Gov. Napolitano have provided the solution to that issue - at least in Arizona - by approval of SB 1141. The measure was requested by the Arizona chapter of the American Heart Association.
 
Relatively few people are willing to be Good Samaritans, and perhaps eliminating the liability concern will convince a few more to help people. That's a good thing.