ZOLL Medical Corporation, a manufacturer of resuscitation devices and related software solutions, has announced that a guest vacationing aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Ltd. vessel Oasis of the Seas was saved with the help of a ZOLL AED Plus. It was the first time the unit was used aboard the 5,400-passenger megaship, the largest passenger liner in the world.

"The value Royal Caribbean places on passenger safety is commendable. By strategically placing AEDs throughout their entire fleet, Royal Caribbean realizes the value these life-saving devices can play in improving outcomes from sudden cardiac arrest when every second counts."

According to Steve Williams, RN, CEN, CFRN, Director of Medical Operations for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., a guest collapsed on March 27 in the ship’s buffet area. "Fortunately a passing guest who is a physician witnessed the cardiac arrest, called for an AED, and started CPR," he said. "A crew member brought the AED Plus, which the physician used to deliver a shock that converted the patient. The ship’s medical team arrived and took over patient care. A subsequent shock was delivered. The revived patient was transferred to a local hospital, underwent a stent procedure, and is now at home recovering."

"The value Royal Caribbean places on passenger safety is commendable. By strategically placing AEDs throughout their entire fleet, Royal Caribbean realizes the value these life-saving devices can play in improving outcomes from sudden cardiac arrest when every second counts," said Jonathan A. Rennert, President of ZOLL.

Over the past 24 months, Royal Caribbean has taken a pro-active approach and standardized on ZOLL resuscitation products throughout its entire 27-ship fleet. Ten AED Plus units are strategically placed aboard the Oasis of the Seas. In addition, ZOLL M Series® ALS defibrillators are in Royal Caribbean’s onboard infirmaries and each ship’s first response teams are outfitted with AED Pros.