AED for Adults
1. Open the AED. Most will power up automatically but some will require you to press the power button
2. Listen to and follow all verbal instructions; read and follow all instructions that are displayed.
3. Prepare the chest
- Remove clothing from the chest
- Do not place pads over lumps in the chest wall (likely indicates defibrillator)
- If the chest is wet from sweat or water, quickly dry the chest
- If the chest is hairy (keeping the pads from sticking), rip the first set of pads off along with the chest hair
4. Expose the adhesive on the pads (peel off “sticker”) and apply to the chest.
- Follow and pictures included in the AED
- Place one pad on the upper right chest (patient’s perspective)
- Place second pad under the left armpit by the left nipple
- If the AED leads are not connected, connect them securely
5. “Clear” the patient. No one should be touching the patient.
6. Analyze the heart rhythm. The AED may do this automatically or you may need to press “Analyze.”
7. Is a shock advised?
- Yes – “Clear” the patient. Press “shock” or shock symbol. Continue High Quality CPR for 2 minutes
- No – Continue High Quality CPR
- Error – Continue High Quality CPR; troubleshoot the AED by checking pad placement, all leads are connected, no one is touching the patient during rhythm analysis
8. Continue High Quality CPR for 2 minutes between rhythm analysis or shocks. Do not delay High Quality CPR to troubleshoot the AED.
