An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronic device designed to save lives during Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). SCA occurs when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions, causing an erratic or stopped heartbeat. The AED analyzes the heart’s rhythm and delivers an electrical shock (defibrillation) to restore a normal rhythm. Time is critical, as the chance of survival decreases by 7 to 10 percent for every minute that passes without defibrillation. Knowing how to quickly locate and operate an AED is essential until emergency medical services arrive.
Common Placement Zones
AEDs are strategically placed in environments where large numbers of people congregate or where cardiac emergencies are statistically more likely. High-density public areas, such as airports, major train stations, and large shopping centers, routinely house these devices. This placement maximizes the chance of immediate bystander intervention.
Recreational and fitness facilities are common placement zones due to the elevated risk of cardiac events during strenuous activity. These include gyms, sports stadiums, community swimming pools, and university athletic complexes. Large workplaces, such as corporate campuses and industrial sites, also maintain public access defibrillators for employee and visitor safety.
Educational institutions, including high schools and university campuses, prioritize AED availability in central locations like main offices, cafeterias, and gymnasiums. The goal is to ensure the device can be retrieved and deployed within the critical first few minutes of a collapse. Placement strategy focuses on making the device accessible within a three- to five-minute response time.
Identifying and Accessing the Device
Locating an AED quickly relies on universal visual cues designed for instant recognition. The device is almost always housed in a wall-mounted cabinet, often near fire extinguishers or in high-visibility common areas like building lobbies. Look for the universal symbol: a white heart with a lightning bolt, typically set on a green background.
Buildings often utilize directional signage to guide a rescuer toward the nearest AED. The cabinet is clearly labeled with the acronym “AED” in bold lettering. Although some cabinets are alarmed to notify personnel when opened, they are intentionally kept unlocked to ensure immediate access.
Modern technology aids in locating devices through AED registries and mobile applications. Emergency dispatchers in some regions use these databases to inform callers of the nearest registered device location. Apps like PulsePoint map public-access AED locations, providing a real-time tool to reduce search time.
Actionable Steps for Use
When the AED is retrieved, first ensure emergency services have been called, ideally by another bystander. Immediately turn the device on by pressing the power button or opening the lid. The machine is designed to provide clear, step-by-step voice instructions from this point onward. The AED will prompt the user to apply the electrode pads directly to the person’s bare chest, following the diagram on the pads.
One pad is placed on the upper right side of the chest, and the other on the lower left side, a few inches below the armpit. Ensure the person’s chest is dry and remove any medication patches to allow for proper electrical conduction. Once connected, the AED will analyze the heart’s rhythm and advise whether an electrical shock is necessary.
During analysis, and if a shock is advised, the rescuer must ensure no one touches the person by shouting “clear.” The device will only permit a shock if it detects a shockable rhythm. If a shock is administered or if no shock is advised, the AED will prompt the rescuer to begin or continue Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) until medical professionals take over.