What is a defibrillator (AED)?
Last updated: September 20, 2026
An AED (automated external defibrillator) is a portable device that analyses the heart rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest and delivers a shock if needed. Voice prompts guide bystanders through the steps until emergency services arrive.
Definition
An AED (automated external defibrillator) is a portable device that analyses the heart rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest and delivers a shock if needed. Voice prompts guide bystanders through the steps until emergency services arrive.
Why it matters
In Switzerland around 8,000 people suffer a sudden out-of-hospital cardiac arrest every year. Without rapid help, the chance of survival falls by about ten percent each minute. The sooner an AED and chest compressions start, the better the odds of surviving until the ambulance arrives.
Everyday examples
AEDs are often placed in public spaces: shopping centres, sports and multi-purpose halls, stations, schools, municipal buildings and other public venues. In an emergency what matters is finding the nearest device quickly – not looking it up afterwards.
How CooHood helps
The CooHood map shows defibrillators nearby – through the partnership with defikarte.ch, the Swiss map of public AEDs. That keeps the nearest device visible in your hood when every minute counts.
defikarte.ch – open website