According to the most recent statistics, there were as many as 130 in-flight medical emergencies per day on U.S. flights. In many cases, flights had to be diverted.

But in a growing number of cases, the sick passengers were treated with equipment on board the planes.

Every U.S. flight now carries an automated external defibrillator — or AED.

These AEDs can be operated by anyone. Each unit, when activated, issues easy to understand audio commands that can walk you through operating them successfully and responding to the patient in short order.

And, Good Samaritan laws in each U.S. state allow civilians and other medical personnel to be able to render assistance in these emergency situations without fear of liability.

The best news is that American Airlines has counted 57 incidents where onboard AED use has enabled a passenger to regain a pulse after being unresponsive.