Our hardware research project is an effort to research and develop hardware technologies that will enable more ubiquitous automated external defibrillator (AED) availability, including the ability for companies to produce defibrillators as personal safety devices. Such devices would be intended to act as a supplemental bridge to EMS response, much in the way that a fire extinguisher is used while awaiting fire department response to an emergency. Effective treatment for ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest depends primarily on early defibrillation. A more ubiquitous device, such as a widely-available, single-use AED, could greatly increase survival.