We describe the design of a universal report form for use by lay-responders using an automated external defibrillator (AED) as part of a national programme for public access defibrillation (PAD). The form was designed initially because the Department of Health in England required detailed audit data about the national programme for public access defibrillation they initiated. At that time (1999) there was very little reported experience of public access defibrillation and none from the UK. The form evolved pragmatically as experience showed the wide range of situations under which lay-persons might use an AED, and also the information likely to be available that could be collected reliably. This report may help others who wish to audit schemes for PAD and facilitate the evolution of an internationally acceptable template for data collection.