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Aim: The aim of this retrospective observational study was to determine how response intervals correlated to the experience of the community first responders (CFRs) using data collected from the Danish Island of Langeland via a global positioning system (GPS)-based system., Methods: All medical emergency calls involving CFRs in the time period from 21st of April 2012 to 31st of December 2017 were included. Each emergency call activated 3 CFRs. Response intervals were calculated using the time from when the system alerted the CFRs to CFR time of arrival at the emergency site measured by GPS. CFRs response intervals were grouped depending on their level of experience according to ≤ 10, 11-24, 25-49, 50-99, ≥ 100 calls accepted and arrived on-site., Results: A total of 7273 CFR activations were included. Median response interval for the CFR arriving first on-site (n = 3004) was 4:05 min (IQR 2:42-6:01) and median response interval for the arrival of the CFR with an automated external defibrillator (n = 2594) was 5:46 min (IQR 3:59-8:05). Median response intervals were 5:53 min (3:43-8:29) for ≤ 10 calls (n = 1657), 5:39 min (3:49-8:01) for 11-24 calls (n = 1396), 5:45 min (3:49-8:00) for 25-49 calls (n = 1586), 5:07 min (3:38-7:26) for 50-99 calls (n = 1548) and 4:46 min (3:14-7:32) for ≥ 100 calls (n = 1086) (p < 0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between experience and response intervals (p < 0.001, Spearman's rho = -0.0914)., Conclusion: This study found an inverse correlation between CFR experience and response intervals, which could lead to increased survival after a time-critical incident., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Aims: To evaluate and compare survival after out-of-hospital (OHCA), where an automated external defibrillator (AED) was used, in densely, moderately and thinly populated areas. Also, to evaluate the association between AED retrieval distance and survival after OHCA., Methods: From 2014 to 2018, AEDs used during OHCA in the region of Southern Denmark were systematically collected. OHCAs were included if the OHCA address was known. OHCAs at nursing homes were excluded. To evaluate population density, a map with 1000 × 1000 meter grid cells was used with each cell color-graded according to the number of inhabitants. Densely, moderately and thinly populated areas were defined as ≥200 inhabitants, 20-199 inhabitants and 0-19 inhabitants per km 2 , respectively. Primary outcome was 30-day survival., Results: A total of 423 cases of OHCA were included, of which 207 (49%) occurred in densely populated areas, while 78 (18%) and 138 (33%) occurred in moderately and thinly populated areas, respectively. AED retrieval distances were: densely populated 105 m (IQR 5-450), moderately populated 220 m (IQR 5-450) and thinly populated 350 m (IQR 5-1500) (P < 0.001). Thirty-day survival was 40%, 31% and 34%, respectively (P = 0.3). In a multivariable regression analysis, mortality increased with 10% per 100 m an AED was placed further away from the site of OHCA., Conclusion: Survival after OHCA, where an AED was used, did not seem to differ in thinly, moderately and densely populated areas. The length of the AED retrieval distance, however, was correlated with reduced survival after adjusting for other potentially explanatory variables., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest Doctor Møller has received grants and personal fees from Abiomed, and personal fees from Orion Pharma and Novartis. All other authors declared no conflict of interests., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aims: To evaluate 1) the relative use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at different types of AED locations 2) the percentage of AEDs crossing location types during OHCA before use 3) the AED coverage distance at different types of AED locations, and 4) the 30-day-survival in different subgroups., Methods: From 2014-2018, AEDs used by bystanders during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in the Region of Southern Denmark were collected. Data regarding registered AEDs was retrieved from the national AED-network. The OHCA site and AED placement was categorized into; 1) Residential; 2) Public; 3) Nursing home, 4) Company/workplace; 5) Institution; 6) Health clinic and 7) Sports facility/recreational. To evaluate 30-day-survival, groups 4-7 were pooled into one Mixed group., Results: In total 509 OHCAs were included. There was high relative usage of AEDs from public places, nursing homes, health clinics and sports facilities, and low relative usage from companies/workplaces, residential areas and institutions. Of AEDs used during residential OHCAs 39% were collected from public places. AEDs placed in residential areas and public places had a coverage of 575 m (IQR 130-1300) and 270 m (IQR5-550), respectively. Thirty-day- survival in public, residential and mixed groups were 49%, 14% and 67%, respectively., Conclusion: The relative use of AEDs from public places, nursing homes, sports facilities and health clinics was high, and AEDs used during OHCA in residential areas were most frequently collected from public places. AEDs placed in both residential areas and public places may have a wider coverage area than proposed in current literature., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)