Shenzhen has released its standards on the installation and management of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public places, which were put into force March 1, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported.

Following the country’s “Healthy China” strategy, in 2017, Shenzhen initiated a program and installed AEDs in public places to safeguard citizens’ health.

So far, 10,500 AEDs have been installed in crowded public places such as Metro stations, the airport, high-speed railway stations, railway stations, checkpoints, stadiums, nursing homes, tourist attractions, universities, subdistricts, communities, police offices and office halls.

The AEDs installed in the city’s public places have helped save 60 people since 2017, with the oldest being 75 years old and the youngest 7 years old.

The standards have put forward different requirements on the number of AEDs installed in three types of public places.

At the city’s main transport stations, sports and fitness venues, health service institutions, elderly care institutions and schools, an AED should be accessible to rescuers within three to five minutes’ walk on a straight line and its service area must be within a radius of no more than 300 meters.

At public accommodations, cultural and entertainment venues and residential areas, an AED should be accessible to a rescuer for a three to 10 minutes’ walk on a straight line and its service area must be within a radius of no more than 600 meters.

Other public places can install an appropriate number of AEDs according to their needs.

The Shenzhen Center for Prehospital Care led the compilation of the standards.