A vest that jump-starts your heart when it stops beating is being tested by
more than 150 cardiac patients in the US. Electrodes are strapped to the chest
in the bra-shaped vest to monitor the heart for potentially fatal rhythms. If it
detects one, the vest automatically squirts conductive gel onto the patient’s
chest and gives him or her a 20-second audible warning before applying a voltage
through paddles in the straps. The vest will zap the patient five
times—once every 30 seconds—before it assumes the wearer is dead and
gives up.
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