Introduction. The Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a device used to restore a normal heart rhythm in case of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). It is a device that is easy to use and it issues voice commands for performing the subsequent rescue operations. Used in suitable time, it positively influences patient survival and post-hospital convalescence. Implementation of the Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) program plays an important role in spreading the use of the AED. The assumption of the program is placing defibrillation devices in public places with a large number of people and where there is a risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Aim. The aim of this study is to check the implementation of the PAD program in the city of Poznan, by evaluating the knowledge of the inhabitants on AEDs and their location, and to examine the general opinion of people on the use of AEDs in the case of sudden cardiac arrest. Material and methods. The study involved 100 randomly selected people near the location of defibrillators. The group of respondents consisted of 50 women and 50 men. The study was conducted by means of the authors’ own questionnaire. The questions concerned the knowledge of Poznan residents of the availability of automatic external defibrillators. Results and Conclusions. Based on the conducted survey, it was found that the inhabitants of Poznan do not have the knowledge of what an AED is and what it is used for, as many as 74% of the respondents answered the question concerning the knowledge and use of defibrillators negatively. Of the respondents, 71% did not know where such devices are located in Poznan. Despite the lack of knowledge (in over 70% of respondents) concerning the AED, 69% of the surveyed people would decide to use a defibrillator in an emergency.

Key words: Automated External Defibrillator, Public Access Defibrillation.