Defibrillators being placed in dozens of public locations

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- A 1999 state law protecting people from personal liability when using a potential lifesaving device has led to the machines being placed in dozens of public places.

The automated external defibrillator is used to help heart attack victims and can now be found in parks, businesses, malls and even churches.

Emergency care officials say the survival rate of heart attack victims is nearly 70 percent when the defibrillator and cardiopulmonary resuscitation are used. The survival rate drops to three percent without the device and C-P-R.

The machine uses computerized sensors and voice instructions to guide users through the process and determines whether a shock to the heart is needed.

The American Heart Association says the machine is generally more accurate than emergency professionals who manually read and interpret heart rhythms.