Defibrillation is the use of an electrical pulse or shock to assist the heart in achieving a normal rhythm after a cardiac arrest (heart function stops) or arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) (see Reference 1).
Implanted cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are surgically implanted to help automatically control irregular heartbeats (see Reference 2). These are treated similarly to pacemakers by airport security personnel.
An automated external fefibrillator (AED) can check a person's heart rhythm and, if needed, administer an electric shock capable of starting a stopped heart. It is designed to be used by people without medical backgrounds (although generally training is advised); the device is computerized, and provides direction to the user (see Reference 1).
The TSA states that medical devices needed by patients are allowed through security. Patients with implanted pacemakers or ICDs are encouraged to disclose this information to the security officers, but the information can be kept confidential from other passengers (see Reference 3).
According to Neighborhood Heart Watch, in 2004, the FAA required that all airplanes of a certain size carry defibrillators. American Airlines began installing them even earlier, in 1997. Since then, 89 AA passengers have required the intervention of the AED, which has resulted in a very high 56 percent survival rate (see Reference 2).
