Call it the "Russert Effect." The death of the 58-year-old newsman, of sudden cardiac arrest, has sparked a surge in defibrillator sales—in hopes that the device could save others from a similar fate. Big manufacturers such as Philips and Defibtech say their phones have been ringing nonstop since Russert's passing on June 13. It's too soon to tally sales, but Philips estimates a 30 percent increase in inquiries, and Defibtech CEO Glenn Laub, a cardiac surgeon, says he's being "deluged" by calls. "It's human nature to take stock of our own lives after someone we feel close to passes away," says Philips spokesman Ian Race.
There's no telling whether a defibrillator could have saved Russert's life. There was one available at his NBC office, but it was used only after the arrival of the paramedics. Still, defibrillation is the most effective emergency treatment for cardiac arrest—the No. 1 killer in America—and can increase survival odds from 2 to 50 percent (higher if it's used within three to four minutes). Easy-to-use devices designed for the home and office cost about $1,200, and an American Heart Association study determined that even an untrained sixth grader can operate one. It might not be the happiest thing to plan for, but it could just save your life.