How to Use an AED

Business, airports, and other large facilities commonly have Automated External Defibrillators (AED) to assist in the case of a sudden cardiac arrest. AED's can be used to help render first aid until emergency responders arrive. The AED will have a voice prompt that will cover all the steps that need to be done in the correct order. This is a overview of how to use the AED.

References:

https://www.aedmarket.com/blogs/news/proper-aed-pad-placement

https://www.defibtech.com/news/latest/what-should-you-do-after-providing-an-aed-shock/

https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/two-hands-in-the-air

https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/aed/using-an-aed/aed-steps?srsltid=AfmBOoqmN9BZLADAsm7ioXHKHGfyL6Mfk8EwF6yjZWVpmvnmvcFcfdo5

https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/what-is-electricity/all

https://www.vecteezy.com/vector-art/33335068-hand-holding-a-wiping-cloth-vector-illustration-hand-wiping-or-cleaning-a-surface-stock-vector-illustration

https://www.wikihow.com/Take-off-a-Shirt

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambulance

Automatic External Defibrillator

Compatible Pads (should be contained with the AED)

A patient that is having a cardiac arrest emergency

Remain calm and locate the AED, employees at the business should know where they are located. Some establishments such as airports have posted signs to identify where they are located.

*****VERY IMPORTANT*****

Have another bystander contact 911 while you are providing first aid, make sure there are no obvious threats in the surrounding area before attempting to help the patient.

Open the AED case, and press the on the button. Different AED's may have different colored buttons however most of them have a number sequence clearly labeled, they are designed for the user to follow the numerical sequence going from smaller to larger numbers, such as 1, 2, 3, and so on. The "on" button in the AED picture listed is green with the number "1" on the left side.

Remove the patients clothing off of their chest. If the patient is wet or sweaty, dry their chest, and attempt to remove any excess moister.

Place the pads on the patients chest. For adults place one pad on the upper right side of the chest above the nipple, place the other pad on the lower left side of the chest/flank area. For children (eight years old and younger) place one pad on the front of the chest in the center, place the second pad in the middle of the back in-between the shoulder blades (Scapula).

Insert the plug side of the pads into the AED connection port. Some AED's come pre-connected, this varies by manufacturer.

Ensure that no one is touching the patient. Allow the AED to analyze the patients cardiac rhythm to determine if a shock needs to be delivered. IF A SHOCK DOES NOT NEED TO BE DELEIVERED MOVE TO STEP 8.

If a shock is advised by the AED, ensure that no one is touching the patient. Announce to everyone that you will be delivering a shock. State the word "CLEAR" loudly, do one more visual check to make sure no one is in contact with the patient. Press the shock button. The button will be illuminated, in the example picture it is the orange button with a lightning symbol on it. This will deliver the shock.

Start/continue CPR, the AED will instruct you when to stop compressions for another rhythm analysis. Continue to provide aid until emergency medical services arrive to take over.