An empirical study about a diffusion of Automated External Defibrillator and social capital

The objective of this research is to clarify empirically about the relationship of a diffusion of a use of Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and social capital. AED is expected as a medical equipment for first-aid lifesaving activities by bystanders. And a large amount of public expense is supplied to an installation and training course of AED late years. On the other side, the opportunity for bystanders to actually use AED is rare. As the background, the problem about the consciousness of the ordinary citizen about a use of a medical equipment can be supposed. In this research, the hypothesis that rich social capital raise the consciousness to a use of AED was formed. As a methodology, the questionnaire to 1000 ordinary citizens was carried out. As a result of the survey, especially a social network, a reciprocal activity, and health consciousness are significantly correlated to a participation rate to a lifesaving training course, etc. Furthermore, they were raising the consciousness to the use of AED. In conclusion, the effort towards rich social capital is useful to improvement in the ratio of lifesaving by AED.