The idea of AED registries leading to more Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) victims receiving bystander defibrillation more quickly has been promoted in recent years. Making AED registry data available to 911 dispatch agencies and populating mobile apps so bystanders might be guided to nearby AEDs sounds good in theory. But in reality many reasons exist why it is not yet possible for AED registries to increase AED utilization or survival rates. Reasons include real-world data and AED program operational limitations, risk management and legal liability concerns of AED owners, counterproductive and poorly crafted AED immunity laws, and technology limitations.
I have worked extensively since the 1990s to help the AED industry and AED owners better design and operate AED programs. I helped found and was the first CEO of the company that created the National AED Registry. This experiential foundation gives me a deep appreciation for the problem of out-of-hospital SCA and why it remains so difficult to improve survival rates. In my view, AED registries are not, at least for now, a viable method to address this challenge. Here’s why.