Survival Arts

It's about time: AED is FDA-approved for home use

Fox News reports in the last hour that the FDA has approved the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for home deployment, by physician's prescription. Until now, only corporate, police, and EMS first responders were allowed purchase of these incredible devices.

I recommend all readers with an interest in urban and wilderness emergency medicine take training in the use of an AED. I also recommend speaking to your personal physician and asking for a prescription for the device (there are many models; the one pictured here is a representative sample) if you have the means to purchase one yourself. If your doctor won't do this service for you, consider dropping him and finding another. I'll help you find one myself if you like.