Analysis of legislation on the use of semiautomatic external defibrillators by bystanders and the training of non-health-care professionals in Spain

Fernández Gallego V, Sorribes Del Castillo J, Manrique Martínez I

Background and objective: Sufficient evidence supports the use of semiautomatic

external defibrillators outside the hospital by bystanders who are not health-care

professionals, in patients over 1 year of age who are in cardiac arrest secondary to

ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Legislation pertinent to the use of

these defibrillators by bystanders is highly varied, however. Our aim was to compare

legislation related to the training of bystanders in the use of semiautomatic external

defibrillators and their application in the different autonomous communities of Spain.

Methods: Structured analysis of relevant legislation in the Spanish autonomous communities.

Results: No legal limitations are placed on bystanders’ use of semiautomatic external

defibrillators in Spain. However, there is also no legislation explicitly authorizing it. Thirteen

communities have written relevant laws. Three ways of providing training were identified. In

1 model, training is organized by public institutions, in another external trainers are

authorized to organize courses, and in a third mixed alternative the 2 previous models are

combined. All programs emphasize the need for training to take place under instructors

recognized by the European Resuscitation Council or the American Heart Association.

Conclusions: Legislation on the use of automatic and semiautomatic defibrillators in the

different Spanish autonomous communities is highly varied. Only 13 communities have

passed regulations and the training models described are very different.

Fernández Gallego V, Manrique Martínez I, Sorribes Del Castillo J