Automated External Defibrillators in Sport and Recreation Settings: An Analysis of Immunity Provisions in State Legislation

Approximately 25% of all Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease, the nation's deadliest type of disease causing more than 480,000 fatal heart attacks each year. It is estimated that 250,000 of these deaths result from sudden cardiac arrest. On average, sudden cardiac arrest strikes over 600 people each day. The potential for cardiac arrests to occur in sport and recreational settings has been well documented. One study showed that sports stadiums and golf courses were among two of the top five public places with the highest incidence of cardiac arrests.