He also points out that there's likely a population of people who would want the device just in case.

Some people see the device "as a precautionary device," he says. "They would rather have the device and not need it than need it and not have it."

Growing trends: AED accessories
In addition to the play-by-play instructions and the visual and video screens, the defibrillator industry is beginning to dabble in two emerging treatment options.

Researchers are uncovering more evidence to support the use of therapeutic hypothermia for cardiac arrest survivors.

"A number of animal and clinical studies have supported the use of this treatment, and international guidelines have been published regarding the use of this exciting new modality," according to the University of Pennsylvania's School of Medicine's website.

Earlier this year, Philips HeartStart introduced its InnerCool RTx Endovascular System, which allows a physician to cool down a patient to increase the chance for survival.

"There are emerging studies that support the benefits of temperature management for patients who survive out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest," says Philips' Froman.

In fact, AHA's 2005 guidelines on CPR and resuscitation supported clinical use of therapeutic hypothermia.

The new 2010 guidelines on therapeutic hypothermia have been updated for adult victims of cardiac arrest to include those who remain comatose following asystole - cardiac standstill with no cardiac output and no ventricular depolarization - as well as ventricular fibrillation, says Dr. Monica Kleinman, incoming chair of the AHA's Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee.

"There is also increased emphasis on using therapeutic hypothermia as one component of an organized system of post-cardiac arrest care," she says.

"Therapeutic hypothermia improves survival even more," says Dr. Douglas Zipes, a past president of the American College of Cardiology.

Cam Pollock, Physio-Control's vice president of global marketing, says therapeutic hypothermia is becoming part of the standard of care for SCA survivors.

"Clinically, studies show if you cool a patient down, after sudden cardiac arrest, it seems to provide a protective mechanism," he says.

"It's not something we have the technology for at the moment, but we are certainly following and watching [developments] closely," Pollock says.

Another development manufacturers are starting to make available are carbon monoxide monitors for SCA patients.

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