AED

                                                   

First Aid Training Courses

First Aid Safely.       https://firstaidsafely.com/

A person collapses at work, on a sports field, or in a school hallway. They are unresponsive and not breathing normally. In that moment, knowing **how to use AED safely** can help you act with purpose while emergency services are on the way. An automated external defibrillator, or AED, is designed to guide a bystander through the process with clear voice and visual prompts. You do not need to diagnose the heart rhythm yourself. Your role is to recognize a likely cardiac arrest, start CPR, apply the AED, and follow its instructions.

AEDs are made for public use, but they are not a replacement for practical first aid and [cardiac response training](https://firstaidsafely.com/courses/cardiac-first-response-cfr-community-level-phecc/). Training gives you the chance to handle the device, practice pad placement, and build confidence in the sequence when every second matters.

## Recognize when an AED is needed

Use an AED when a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Gasping, irregular breaths can occur in cardiac arrest and should not be mistaken for normal breathing. If you are unsure, treat the situation as an emergency.

First, make sure the area is safe for you, the casualty, and other people nearby. Look for hazards such as traffic, electrical risks, fire, dangerous machinery, or an unsafe surface. If the scene is unsafe, do not put yourself at risk. Move away from the hazard if possible and call 911.

If the scene is safe, check whether the person responds by speaking loudly and tapping their shoulders. If there is no response, call 911 or ask a specific person to call. Ask another person to bring the nearest AED. Being direct helps: say, “You in the blue shirt, call 911,” and “You, bring the AED.” If you are alone, call emergency services on speakerphone so you can begin care immediately.

Start CPR as soon as possible. Place the heel of one hand in the center of the chest, put your other hand on top, and press hard and fast. Aim for a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute, allowing the chest to rise fully between compressions. If trained and willing, give two rescue breaths after every 30 compressions. If you are not trained or cannot give breaths, provide hands-only CPR until help arrives or the AED is ready.

## How to use an AED safely, step by step

As soon as the AED arrives, turn it on. Most devices begin giving spoken instructions immediately. Continue CPR while another person prepares the AED whenever possible. This reduces the time that chest compressions are paused.

Expose the person’s chest and dry it if it is wet. Remove or cut away clothing as needed. The AED pad package shows where the pads should go, and the device will guide you. For an adult, place one pad on the upper right side of the bare chest, below the collarbone. Place the other pad on the lower left side of the chest, below the armpit.

Press the pads firmly onto bare skin. Do not place pads over clothing, and do not place them directly over a medication patch. If there is a patch where a pad needs to go, remove it using gloves if available, wipe the area clean, and apply the pad. If the person has a visible implanted pacemaker or defibrillator, often felt as a small raised lump beneath the skin near the collarbone, position the pad at least one inch away from it.

Once the pads are attached, connect them to the AED if they are not already connected. The AED will analyze the person’s heart rhythm. This is a critical safety point: nobody should touch the person during analysis. Clearly say, “Stand clear,” look to make sure everyone has stepped back, and keep your hands off the casualty.

If the AED advises a shock, it will either tell you to press a flashing shock button or deliver the shock automatically. Before a shock is delivered, say clearly, “Clear,” and visually check that no one is touching the person, their clothing, or the surrounding surface. Do not touch the casualty while the shock is being delivered.

As soon as the AED tells you the shock has been given, or if it advises no shock, restart CPR immediately. Do not spend time checking for a pulse unless you are specifically trained to do so and the person shows clear signs of life. The AED will usually prompt another rhythm analysis after about two minutes of CPR. Continue following its instructions until emergency responders take over, the person begins breathing normally and shows signs of responsiveness, or you are physically unable to continue.

## Safety checks that make a real difference

AEDs are built with safeguards, but correct preparation still matters. Water is one of the most common concerns. You can use an AED on someone who has been in water, but move them away from standing water and dry the chest before applying pads. Rain alone should not stop you from responding if the area is otherwise safe, though it is sensible to shelter the casualty and AED where possible.

Avoid using an AED in an area with flammable gas or fuel. For example, move away from a leaking fuel source before turning on the device. In a workplace, this may mean stopping nearby equipment or moving the casualty only if doing so can be done safely and without a significant delay.

Chest hair can prevent pads from sticking properly. Many AED kits include a razor. If the pads will not adhere because of thick hair, quickly shave only the areas where the pads must be placed, then apply new pads. Do not delay defibrillation to shave a chest where pads are already making good contact.

Jewelry, body piercings, and underwire bras do not automatically prevent AED use. The key issue is that pads must attach to bare skin and should not be placed directly over metal. If necessary, remove clothing to expose the chest while preserving the person’s dignity as far as circumstances allow.

Use disposable gloves if they are immediately available, especially when blood or other body fluids are present. However, do not delay CPR, calling 911, or using the AED because gloves cannot be found. Your own safety matters, but rapid intervention matters too.

## Using an AED on children and infants

Children can experience cardiac arrest too, although the causes may differ from those in adults. The process remains broadly the same: call 911, start CPR, apply the AED, and follow the prompts.

For children under about eight years old, use pediatric pads or a pediatric setting if the AED provides one. These reduce the energy level delivered. If pediatric pads are not available, use adult pads rather than waiting without an AED. Make sure the pads do not touch each other. On a small child or infant, this may mean placing one pad on the center of the chest and the other on the back between the shoulder blades, following the pad diagrams.

For a child or infant who is unresponsive and not breathing normally, early CPR is especially important. If you are trained in [pediatric first aid](https://firstaidsafely.com/courses/paediatric-first-aid/), follow the child CPR technique you have learned while preparing the AED.

## Common mistakes to avoid

The most harmful mistake is waiting too long to act because you are worried about doing something wrong. AEDs assess the rhythm and will not advise a shock unless it is appropriate. Your job is to apply the pads correctly and listen to the device.

Other avoidable errors include stopping CPR for too long while setting up the AED, allowing someone to touch the casualty during analysis, placing pads over clothing, or forgetting to restart CPR immediately after a shock or a no-shock message. Keep interruptions short, speak clearly to people around you, and let the AED lead the sequence.

A person may move, cough, breathe normally, or become responsive after CPR and AED use. If this happens, leave the pads attached, monitor them closely, and follow directions from 911. If they become unresponsive again or stop breathing normally, resume CPR and allow the AED to reassess when prompted.

## Confidence comes from practical training

An AED gives instructions, but real emergencies can be noisy, stressful, and crowded. Practical training helps people work as a team, communicate clearly, deliver effective chest compressions, and use an AED without unnecessary pauses. This is valuable for parents, teachers, coaches, childcare teams, office staff, [industrial workplaces](https://firstaidsafely.com/phecc-first-aid-response-course-irish-workplaces/), and anyone responsible for others in their community.

First Aid Safely provides practical cardiac response and first aid training that can be adapted for individuals and workplace groups. A hands-on session can turn a device you hope never to use into a familiar tool you can reach for when someone needs help. The best time to learn the steps is before the emergency, when you have the space to ask questions, practice, and leave ready to respond.