AED Signage - Can Going Yellow Save More Lives?

Summary: This presentation explores another colour option for AED signs and presents results from research conducted around the use of a novel color combination and why the link between a large fast food chain and cardiac arrest could perhaps save lives.

Synopsis: Being able to rapidly identify the location of an AED during a cardiac arrest event in a public place (or recall where one is that is not in view) is a critical aspect of decreasing the time delay to defibrillation. Human memory and recall is stimulated more by certain color combinations which may assist in recalling the location of AEDs. Numerous organizations recommend a variety of signage to denote the site of an AED. In a world where color-defined signage helps us to denote certain types of equipment - for example, red is used predominantly for fire. First aid is predominantly green, or red and white. But, an AED is not part of a first aid kit, nor is there always one located with first aid. So, a sign denoting the location of an AED must be visually different from a first aid sign, so it cannot be confused with a first aid sign, nor so do people assume that there is necessarily an AED at a first aid location. However, when it comes to an AED, this piece of lifesaving equipment must be accessed within minutes in order for it to be most effective in resuscitating the patient. Are the present color combinations of signs predominantly used, the best or most effective at achieving their goal of attracting attention to their location, and instilling memory recall in citizens who need to find them rapidly? This presentation explores another option and presents results from research conducted around the use of a novel color combination and why the link between a large fast food chain and cardiac arrest could perhaps save lives.