63 % of Israelis lack confidence in using defibrillators

jpost.com · Feb 23, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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ByJERUSALEM POST STAFFFEBRUARY 23, 2026 09:57Updated: FEBRUARY 23, 2026 11:18A new survey commissioned by Magen David Adom (MDA) ahead of National Defibrillator Awareness Day reveals that while most Israelis recognize the importance of defibrillators, a majority do not feel confident using one in an emergency.According to the survey, conducted by the Maagar Mochot Research Institute, 92% of the public are aware of the existence of defibrillators and 96% understand their life-saving significance. However, nearly two-thirds of respondents (63%) said they do not feel confident in their ability to operate a defibrillator during a cardiac emergency.86% of the public said they would be interested in participating in a course on defibrillator use. (Credit: MDA SPOKESPERSON)A similar proportion, 62%, reported that they have never undergone training or instruction on how to use the device. At the same time, the findings point to strong public interest in acquiring those skills. Among respondents who have not received training, 86% said they would be interested in participating in a course on defibrillator use.The survey also examined public awareness of the location of defibrillators. Sixty percent of respondents said they know the location of the nearest device to them at least some of the time. Yet 76% were unaware that MDA maintains a national database of defibrillators nationwide.In an emergency, callers to MDA’s 101 dispatch center can be directed to the nearest registered device while receiving real-time CPR guidance. The data comes as MDA prepares to mark National Defibrillator Awareness Day on Sunday in partnership with Mifal HaPais. The initiative promotes public access to defibrillators and encourages citizens and institutions to register privately owned devices in MDA’s national database. According to MDA’s Medical Division, 70% of cardiac arrest cases in Israel occur in the home, 14% in medical institutions, and 16% in public spaces.The survival rate without neurological damage currently stands at only about 8%, but health officials say this figure can be significantly improved through rapid CPR and immediate use of a defibrillator. “In the event of cardiac arrest, time is the most critical factor,” said Dr. Raphael Strugo, MDA’s deputy director-general of medicine and blood services.“With every passing minute without CPR and without the use of a defibrillator, survival chances decrease significantly. The defibrillator is a simple, accessible device designed for use by anyone, even without medical background, and it can make the difference between life and death.”