External automatic defibrillators should be available in public places for prompt first aid.
In public places where there are a large number of people at the same time, external automatic defibrillators will have to be available so that, in case of need, it is possible to immediately help a person with a life-threatening arrhythmia, the Cabinet of Ministers decided on Tuesday, July 16, when adopting the regulations that determine the implementation deadline, the location location and technical conditions.
In case of life-threatening arrhythmia, it is essential to provide timely first aid. Until the arrival of the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) medics, the patient's survival depends on an eyewitness. If, in addition to cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a defibrillator shock is given, the patient's chances of survival will be significantly affected. A defibrillator gives an electrical impulse to restore the rhythmic activity of the heart. It is easy to use and can be used by any person, as the device will provide the user with information about the actions to be performed at a given moment. Based on the study, early defibrillation in combination with cardiopulmonary resuscitation increases the chances of survival by 74% if defibrillation is initiated within the first three minutes.
According to the information available in the Ministry of Health, defibrillators are currently available in Latvia in the largest store chains, at the airport, in embassies, and in the largest companies. Increasing their number has been the recommendation of several health organizations and the practice in other countries.
The introduction of defibrillators in Latvia is planned to be implemented gradually:
from 2026, defibrillators must be located in public places where the maximum number of people present at the same time is more than 1500 people ;
from 2028, defibrillators will also have to be available in places where the maximum number of people present at the same time reaches from 701 to 1500 people .
we invite you to voluntarily install defibrillators also in places where the maximum number of people present at the same time is less than 700 people ;
from September 1, 2025, defibrillators will have to be in educational institutions where basic, general secondary and vocational secondary education programs are studied, including vocationally oriented sports educational institutions, and interest educational institutions. In this case, defibrillators will be provided from the state budget through procurement.
Companies, state and local government institutions will have to provide the purchase of a defibrillator at their own expense. The cost of an external automatic defibrillator is on average 1,400 to 2,000 euros. On the other hand, the warranty period of an average defibrillator is from four to eight years, depending on the manufacturer.
It is planned that the State Medicines Agency will collect information and ensure data exchange with the NMPD. The EMS has also developed additional learning guidelines for the basic first aid knowledge program on defibrillators related to specific risks and needs, and the EMS has included the use of defibrillators in the first aid instructor training program and the basic first aid knowledge program.
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