AED Use for Adults

• AED models vary depending on the manufacture. Open the AED or remove it from its case. Some will have a power on button and others will turn on automatically when you open the lid. Listen and follow the AED’s prompts.

• Remove any clothing or jewelry to expose the patient’s care chest. Wipe dry if necessary.

There are 2 types of placements:

• As per the instructions of the manufacturer use an anterior and lateral pad placement.

-This is the most common placement for adults.

-Put one pad on the right side below the collar bone.

-Put the other pad on the left breast plate just few inches under the armpits.

• Or put the anterior/posterior placement as per the instructions of the manufacturer.

-This is the most common placement for infants and small children in order to prevent the pads from touching each other.

-Put one pad in the middle of the patient’s chest on the sternum.

-Put one pad in the middle of patient’s back between the shoulder blades.

• Listen for the AED prompt that may ask you to press the analyze button.
• While the AED is analyzing, in a loud commanding voice ask everyone including yourself to clear, stand back, and no one should be touching the patient.

• If the AED determines shock is advised, in a loud commanding voice ask everyone including yourself to clear, stand back, and no one should be touching the patient.
• Press the button of the shock to deliver the shock.

Continue CPR immediately starting with chest compressions followed by rescue breaths for 2 minutes until:

• The AED indicates analyzing data.
• The patient becomes responsive.
• EMT arrives and takes over.

• Pregnancy: It is harmless to use an AED on a pregnant woman. It gives the mother and her baby the best chance at survival.
• Pacemakers (ICDs): An AED can be used on a patient with a pacemaker or an ICD. Avoid placing AED pads directly on the device.
• Chest hair: If the patient’s chest hair won’t allow the pads to stick on, quickly shave the area where the pads are to be positioned before attaching the AED pads.
• Water: If the patient is lying in a large puddle or submerged in a water body, remove them from the water before using an AED. Do not let the AED or AED pads get wet.