What is an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and How to Use It

Many questions arise when it comes to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). In this guide, we seek to answer the most common questions about this important, lifesaving technology!

We’ll begin with some definitions of what an AED is and what it is not.

AED Medical Abbreviation: Automated External Defibrillator

Some people mistakenly define AEDs as “automatic external defibrillators” rather than “automated external defibrillators.”  Even some AED laws have made this mistake. There are also many typos, misspellings, and references to AEDs. Here are a few of our favorites:

• defibUlator
• defiBRAlater or defiBRAlator
• Defibillator or defibilator
• And, of course, the famously redundant “AED defibrillator” (aka the automated external defibrillator defibrillator)

Cutting to the chase…

What is an AED machine?

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a machine that is used to treat cardiac arrest, a life-threatening condition where the heart suddenly stops beating properly. By sending an electric shock to the heart of a person in cardiac arrest, the AED restores a normal heart rhythm. AEDs are designed for use by laypersons with very little training; check out your device’s user manual for instructions on how to use your specific AED.

How does an AED work?

While AED machines use advanced algorithms and offer lifesaving therapy, they are actually built with only a few key components. The main AED parts are:

• Electrode pads: Electrode pads are the sticky pads that are applied to the patient’s chest. The electrode pads are what reads the patient’s heart rhythm. If a shock is determined to be necessary by the AED’s processor, then the shock travels between the pads and through the patient’s heart.
• Battery: The battery is used to charge the AED’s capacitor so that it has enough energy to deliver a life-saving shock. The battery also plays an important role in running self-tests and AED diagnostics to make sure that the AED is functioning properly.
• Capacitor: The capacitor stores and releases energy. Capacitors are very common electrical components and they come in different sizes or capacities. For AEDs, the capacitor has to be large enough to store enough energy, and then release it all at once, to save a patient’s life.
• Processor: The processor is the brains behind the AED. The processor is used to analyze the patient’s rhythm to determine whether or not the patient is in a shockable rhythm

AEDs are capable of automatically detecting two forms of cardiac arrhythmias or irregular heart rhythms: ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia. If either of these rhythms are detected by the AED, the device delivers a controlled electric shock to the victim. Most people are familiar with in-hospital defibrillators or those used by emergency medical services that are part of advanced life support (ALS) units. AEDs are different because they are “automated” and completely take the guesswork out of determining whether or not someone needs a shock. AED operators do not need to read and interpret a patient’s ECG which depicts the heart rhythm. The AED performs the heart rhythm analysis for them.

Since AED machines are becoming increasingly present in public settings, especially where there is a lot of human traffic, AEDs can often be used immediately when a person goes into cardiac arrest instead of having to wait for the paramedics or police to administer the life-saving treatment.

So, if you are wondering why AEDs are used or what an AED is used for… The purpose of AEDs is to allow laypeople to save lives!

How to use an AED?

There are several models of FDA-approved AED units. Each unit has voice instructions to help coach responders through the rescue process and AEDs are designed to be used by anyone with limited training. In fact, one of the FDA’s quality-assurance requirements is to review human factors testing to make sure that the defibrillator is easy to use.

While every AED unit operates a little differently, and you should consult your unit’s owners manual for device-specific instructions, AEDs do have common characteristics.

First, let’s brush up on cardiac arrest response best practices. For more detailed information, check out our guide: CALL-PUSH-SHOCK

STEP 1 – CALL: Recognize Cardiac Arrest and Call 911

1. Scene Safety: perform a quick survey of the scene to make sure that it’s safe for you to help
2. Check for responsiveness: if the victim is not responsive and not breathing normally, they might be in cardiac arrest
3. Call 911

STEP 2 – PUSH: Perform CPR

1. Start CPR: push hard and fast on the center of the chest while calling 911 and asking another person to get the AED. Learn how.

STEP 3 – SHOCK: Steps for Using an AED

1. Turn it on: Listen to the voice prompts
2. Expose the patient’s chest: You need to expose their chest so that you can apply the AED electrode pads. Make sure that their chest is dry so that the electrodes are able to adhere to the skin completely
3. Apply the AED electrodes on the patient’s bare chest: Follow the AED’s instructions and look at the graphics on the electrode pads for proper pad placement. With most electrodes, one pad should be placed on the patient’s right side, just below the collarbone, and the second pad goes on the left side, below the armpit.
4. Analyzing: Once the AED notices that the pads have been properly applied, the defibrillator will give a quick prompt and analyze the patient’s heart rhythm
5. Delivering a shock (if needed): If the AED determines that the patient is in cardiac arrest and that a shock is needed, the way it delivers the shock depends on whether the AED is a semi-automatic model or a fully-automatic model.Fully-automatic AED: if a shock is required it will charge and tell you to stand clear from the patient. Then, it will count down and automatically deliver the shock without requiring you to press a button.Semi-automatic AED: if a shock is required, it will charge and, once ready to deliver a shock, it will prompt you to push a button. The button is usually flashing and easy to locate in the middle of an emergency, but make sure you don’t accidentally press the power button!
6. Perform CPR & Re-analyze. AEDs are programmed with the American Heart Association’s guidelines. The current AHA’s protocols call for two-minutes of CPR in between AED heart rhythm analysis periods. Follow the AED instructions.
7. Continue listening to the AED until EMS arrives and takes over the rescue.

When to use an AED?

Always check your AED’s user manual for specific instructions on how and when to use your AED. In general, most AEDs are meant to be used on people who are unresponsive and not breathing properly.

Sometimes it can be tough for laypeople to determine if someone is breathing properly or not. Learn more about how to determine if someone isn’t breathing properly.

AED units use smart technology and can evaluate a patient’s heart rhythm once the electrode pads have been properly applied. Since AEDs only deliver a shock to patients in cardiac arrest, they are safe to use by non-medical people with limited training.

When NOT to use an AED?

Just because AED units can be used by almost anyone (there’s even research showing that untrained children can successfully use AEDs), this doesn’t mean that AEDs are toys. Do not use AEDs on people who are conscious or responsive. Consciousness is a contraindication for the use of an AED.

Can an AED be used on an infant?

Yes, children and infants can go into cardiac arrest. In fact, 7,000 to 10,000 children die of sudden cardiac arrest every year in the United States.

To use an AED on a child, you need to determine whether or not the AED requires a separate set of child electrode pads or if the AED has a built-in attenuator. The attenuator is what decreases the energy of the electric shock to the appropriate level for a child under 8 or less than 50 pounds.

• If your AED requires a separate set of electrodes, you need to buy them and make sure that they are available with the AED. Then, during the emergency, install the child pads, power on the AED, and listen to the voice prompts just like you would for an adult patient.
• If your AED allows you to use the same pads for adult and pediatric patients, you only need to press the button to change the device to child or pediatric mode on your AED!

Learn more about pediatric electrode pads here.

What are the types of AEDs?

There are a few different types of AEDs (not to be mistaken with brands of AEDs), or, more accurately, types of defibrillators.

Manual Defibrillators

Manual defibrillators are the machines you are accustomed to seeing on TV. They are usually in hospitals or in the back of ambulances. Manual defibs allow the operator to view the patient’s ECG and make adjustments to the clinical therapy delivered. For instance, they might decide to MANUALLY deliver electricity to the patient instead of using an AUTOMATED algorithmic decision.

Manual defibs can also come with different attachments, like blood pressure cuffs, SPO2 attachments, and 12-lead monitoring. They can also help with pacing and cardioversion, unlike AEDs. Since they offer more sophisticated capabilities, they are typically used by medical professionals for monitoring patients. Manual defibrillators are sometimes also referred to as “monitors.”

These devices are much larger and heavier than AEDs, making them less portable.

Since they are more complex, these devices are always used by professionals and not laypeople.

Aside from Avive, you might be familiar with the following manual defibrillator manufacturers and brands:

• Philips MRx
• Philips RDT Tempus
• Philips XL & XL+
• Physio Control LIFEPAK 15
• Physio Control LIFEPAK 20
• ZOLL E Series Defibrillator
• ZOLL M Series Defibrillator
• ZOLL R Series Monitor/Defibrillator
• ZOLL X Series Monitor/Defibrillator for EMS
• ZOLL X Series Monitor/Defibrillator for Hospital Transport

Automated External Defibrillators (AED)

AEDs differ from their professional counterparts because they are specifically built for lay people. Bystanders don’t need all the bells and whistles; they just need to grab a publicly available AED unit to save someone’s life. AEDs use smart technology to analyze and determine shockable rhythms.

There are two types of AEDs: semi-automatic AEDs and fully-automatic AEDs.

AEDs are also more affordable than professional models and manual defibs.

Aside from Avive, you might be familiar with the following AED manufacturers and brands:

• Cardiac Science
• Defibtech
• HeartSine
• Philips
• Physio Control (formerly Medtronic, and now owned by Stryker)
• ZOLL

Learn how to compare today’s AEDs