BLS Certification Manual: AED Usage
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Recognizing Cardiac Arrest
- 3. Positioning & Pulse Check
- 4. Compressions for Adults
- 5. Compressions for Infants & Children
- 6. Ventilation Equipment
- 7. Ventilations for Adults
- 8. Ventilations for Infants & Children
- 9. AED Usage
- 10. AED Special Circumstances
- 11. Choking
- 12. Choking Procedures for Adults & Children
- 13. Choking Procedures for Infants
- 14. Team Roles
- 15. Effective Team Dynamics
- 16. Common Mistakes
- 17. Conclusion
- MyCPR Now™ Glossary
AED Usage
An automated external defibrillator, or AED, analyzes the heart's electrical rhythm and determines whether a shock is appropriate. Use an AED as soon as possible during cardiac arrest.
Basic AED Steps:
- Turn on the AED
- Expose the person's chest
- Attach the AED pads as shown on the pads or device (Pad-placement diagrams are typically printed directly on the AED pads themselves or on the inside of the AED's cover.)
- Connect the pads if required by the device
- Stop contact with the person when instructed for rhythm analysis
- Make sure no one is touching the person
- If a shock is advised, clearly state that everyone should stand clear
- Deliver the shock if the device requires you to press the shock button
- Immediately resume CPR beginning with chest compressions
- Continue following the AED prompts
Minimize the Peri-Shock Pause
Keep the interruption in chest compressions before and after defibrillation as short as possible. Resume compressions immediately after a shock.
No Shock Advised
If no shock is advised, immediately resume CPR unless clear signs of life are present.
Adult Pad Placement
A common configuration places:
- One pad on the upper right chest
- One pad on the lower left chest
Follow the diagrams provided with the AED.
Pediatric AED Use
For infants and children in cardiac arrest, attach an AED as soon as possible. Pediatric pads are generally preferred for children younger than approximately 8 years of age. Use pediatric pads or a pediatric energy attenuator when available. If pediatric equipment is not available, adult pads may be used. Do not allow AED pads to touch each other. If necessary, use anterior-posterior placement with one pad on the chest and one on the back.