Final answer:
The claim is false; CPR and early defibrillation are critical in emergency situations to maintain vital functions and increase survival chances until professional medical help arrives. AEDs are widely available and can be used by the public.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that drugs and airway insertion are more important than CPR and early defibrillation is false. During emergencies, such as cardiac arrest, the priority is to provide CPR and early defibrillation if necessary. CPR is crucial as it maintains blood circulation and oxygen delivery to vital organs until the heart can be restarted. External Automated Defibrillators (AEDs) are designed for public use, to diagnose the patient's heart rhythm, and apply an appropriate shock to try to re-establish a normal heart rhythm. These immediate actions are critical and can increase the chances of survival until professional medical help arrives.
It's also important to note that, for individuals suffering from ventricular fibrillation, where the ventricles aren't effectively pumping blood, defibrillation is the most common treatment. The device halts the erratic heart activity allowing for the possibility of a normal rhythm to resume. AEDs are increasingly available in public spaces to assist in such emergencies and can be operated by laypersons following verbal instructions provided by the device.