Defibrillators in public spaces

Question for written answer E-003213/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Günther Sidl (S&D)

A recent study conducted by the Vienna Professional Emergency Rescue Service (Berufsrettung Wien) in collaboration with the Medical University of Vienna shows that the survival rate after cardiac arrest has increased by ten percentage points over the last 15 years.

A key factor in this improvement is the increasing use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), which can be used by untrained members of the public and are freely accessible in many locations throughout the city.

• 1.Is the Commission planning to support the acquisition of such public access defibrillators (PADs)?
• 2.Is the Commission planning information campaigns or other measures to educate the general public on the use of public access defibrillators and help people overcome their reluctance to act in an emergency?
• 3.Are there plans for an EU-wide register of public access defibrillator (PAD) locations to enable people to quickly find the nearest defibrillator even outside their home region, because every minute counts[1]?

Submitted: 8.8.2025

• [1] https://science.apa.at/power-search/16256184138950498757