On Dec. 12, legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that will provide resources to communities to ensure that victims of sudden cardiac arrest have the best possible chance of survival. The legislation, the Community Access to Emergency Defibrillation Act of 2001, was introduced by Reps. Lois Capps (Calif.) and John Shimkus (Ill.).

The bill authorizes more than $55 million a year for five years for communities to purchase aeds and to establish public access to defibrillation programs.

These programs will help train and equip first responders; purchase and place aeds in public places where cardiac arrests are likely to occur; and encourage private companies to train and equip employees in cpr and emergency defibrillation.

Sudden cardiac arrest kills about 220,000 Americans each year. For every minute that passes without defibrillation, a victims chances of survival decreases 7-10%. aeds provide an electric shock that can stop the abnormal heart rhythm, allowing the normal heart rhythm to take over.