PADmap has now launched, bringing a data-driven approach to the placement of Public Access Defibrillators (PADs) to help save more lives from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests across Scotland. A targeted approach to defibrillator placementDeveloped using historical cardiac arrest data and existing defibrillator locations, PADmap identifies the most effective sites for new PADs. The goal is to ensure that no one experiencing a cardiac arrest is more than a four-minute round trip from a lifesaving defibrillator, improving survival rates and reducing health inequalities.Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are a major cause of sudden death globally, with almost 4000 people in Scotland receiving a resuscitation attempt in the community each year. Every minute without defibrillation reduces survival chances by 10%. However, PADs are often placed based on intuition rather than data, leaving some high-risk areas under-served.PADmap aims to change this by using cutting-edge mathematical optimisation models, ensuring defibrillators are placed where they will have the greatest impact – particularly in communities that are most at risk. Real-world resultsA pilot study in Falkirk demonstrated the effectiveness of PADmap, with defibrillators placed using the tool being used more than twice as often as those placed without its guidance. PADmap is more than just a tool – it’s a lifesaver. By ensuring that defibrillators are placed where they are most needed, we can save more lives, reduce health inequalities, and create safer communities for one another. Our communities need more PADs, and we need them to be in the right places. Dr Gareth Clegg Principal Investigator, Resuscitation Research Group, Usher Institute This welcome progress will help increase the chances of surviving cardiac arrest outside hospital. Every life lost is a tragedy and we are working closely with our partners to save lives. This new platform can become an invaluable tool in the fight to increase survival rates by improving defibrillator coverage in the highest risk areas, where they are most likely to be needed. Jenni Minto Scottish Government Minister for Public Health and Women's Health PADmap is a game-changer in tackling resuscitation inequalities across Scotland. By strategically placing defibrillators in high-risk and under-served areas, this innovative tool will have a direct impact on improving survival rates and help us to go further faster in ensuring everyone has an equal chance of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. James Cant Chief Executive Officer of the Resuscitation Council UK Collaboration and next stepsPADmap has been developed by the Resuscitation Research Group at the Usher Institute, in collaboration with engineers from the University of Toronto and creative agency DaySix. The project was funded by the Scottish Government and St John Scotland.The team behind PADmap is now seeking partnerships and support to expand its reach beyond Scotland, ensuring that more communities can benefit from this innovative approach to defibrillator placement.Access the PADmap now!Visit the PADmap website at padmap.org Publication date 21 Mar, 2025
