MyHeartMapOut-of-hospital cardiac arrest is a major public health problem that affects an estimated 400,000 people in the United States every year. The application of an automated external defibrillator (AED) to patients who have experienced cardiac arrest can save lives. However, little is known about where the devices are located and how to find them.
An accurate, easily accessible map of AEDs could help people locate them in an emergency, either directly through smart phone applications or through communication with map-equipped 911 emergency responders.
In 2012, we launched the MyHeartMap Challenge- a citywide crowdsourcing initiative aimed at locating and mapping all of the automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in Philadelphia. With an estimated 1.5 million inhabitants and an estimated 500,000 daily workers and visitors, Philadelphia served as an ideal setting for the inaugural challenge.
Using a free mobile app, participants photographed and geotagged AEDs they found in public places over eight weeks.
At the end of the challenge, more than 1,500 AEDs in more than 800 unique buildings were submitted by more than 300 individuals working alone or in teams. The data collected during the challenge was used to create MyHeartMap, a map of AED locations in Philadelphia.
MyHeartMap is the first iteration of what our team hopes will grow to become a nationwide, crowdsourced AED registry that will put the lifesaving devices in the hands of anyone, anywhere, anytime. To date, more than 15,000 AEDs have been logged in the database.
We are still accepting submissions. Help us save lives by mapping AEDs near you.
