Automated External Defibrillator

The AED should be placed next to the victim’s head, on the same side of the victim as you. If you have completed the ABC’s and found no signs of circulation, turn on the AED. If you have begun CPR at the time the AED arrives, STOP CPR IMMEDIATELY, do not complete your cycle. At this point the AED takes precedence over CPR. The AED had both visual and voice prompts. It will tell you exactly what to do.

Place pads on victim’s bare chest: The pads have an illustration that shows correct placement. Only use adult pads, do not use child pads on an adult. One pad should be placed on the upper right section of the chest, just below the collarbone. The other pad should be placed on the victim’s side, just below the left armpit.

Plug pad connector into the AED

Stand clear: The AED will analyze the victim.

If shock is advised, the AED will charge and tell you to “press the shock button”.  Then it will pause and allow you to perform CPR for two full minutes. This will provide oxygenated blood to the major organs and sustain the victim. After 2 minutes the AED will begin another cycle of analyze, shock if necessary and pause again to allow  two full minutes of CPR.

Turn on AED

Attach pads to victim’s bare chest
AED will analyze victim

AED will charge and  shock if necessary

AED will pause to allow  two full minutes of CPR