Posted on 01/03/2008

January 3, 2008–ORLANDO­–Automated external defibrillators (AEDs), like the hundreds Walt Disney World has deployed throughout its Central Florida property, could become more commonplace in Florida under a change in state law proposed by state Sen. Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs.

Constantine wants to alter the wording in Florida law so that anyone who tries to save a life with an AED will not have to worry about a lawsuit later. Senate Bill 564, advocated by the American Heart Association, is intended to make schools, businesses and other institutions feel more comfortable about deploying AEDs. His bill would revoke a provision of Florida law that now requires a person to have first obtained “appropriate training” before using an AED.

“A lot of people suggest that one reason they don't want to put it in the schools or in their businesses is because of the liability,” Constantine said. “I frankly believe more lives will be saved by having it in a building or a school than would be lost if it were misused or not used at all because they’re afraid to put them in.”

Source: Orlando Sentinel

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