What is an AED?

Q: When should you use an AED on someone who is experiencing SCA?

An AED should be used as soon as possible when someone is suspected of experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, meaning they are unconscious, unresponsive, and not breathing normally. Call 911, begin CPR, and follow the AED's instructions.

Q: Can anyone use an AED?

Yes. AEDs are designed to be used by both healthcare professionals and members of the public. The device provides step-by-step instructions and automatically analyzes the heart rhythm before determining whether a shock is needed.

Q: Does an AED replace CPR?

No. CPR and AED use work together during sudden cardiac arrest, but they serve different purposes. CPR helps maintain circulation by manually pumping blood through chest compressions, which delivers oxygen to the brain and vital organs. An AED complements CPR by assessing whether an electrical shock is needed to help restore a normal heart rhythm.

Q: Where should AEDs be placed?

AEDs should be placed in locations where they can be accessed quickly, such as workplaces, schools, recreation centres, public buildings, and other areas where cardiac emergencies may occur.

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AEDs play a crucial role in increasing the survival rate of sudden cardiac arrest victims, which is why they are commonly found in public places such as schools, airports, and sports facilities. In the sections below, we’ll explore when AEDs are used, the steps involved in operating one, and how they compare to other types of defibrillators.

What are AEDs?

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a portable medical device designed to analyse heart rhythms and deliver a shock to restore the heart's normal rhythm. AEDs are designed to be user-friendly and can be operated by members of the public, even without medical training. The device provides voice and visual prompts while automatically analysing the heart rhythm to determine whether a shock is needed.¹

What are the steps to using an AED?

The following are the general steps for using an AED:¹

Turn on the AED: Most AEDs turn on automatically when the lid is opened or when the device is turned on manually.
Expose the chest: Remove any clothing covering the person's chest and dry the chest if it is wet.
Attach the pads: Attach the sticky pads to the person's chest. Follow the AED's instructions to ensure proper placement of the pads.
Clear the area: Make sure that no one is touching the person or the equipment. If the AED advises a shock, it will send a powerful electrical shock to the heart that can be dangerous to anyone touching the person.
Analyse the heart rhythm: The AED will automatically analyse the person's heart rhythm and determine if a shock is needed. If a shock is not advised, the AED will instruct you to continue with CPR until emergency medical services arrive.
Deliver the shock: If the AED advises a shock, stand clear of the person and press the "shock" button. The AED will deliver the shock to the person's heart through the pads.
Resume CPR: After the shock is delivered, immediately resume CPR, starting with chest compressions. Continue CPR until emergency medical services arrive or until the person begins to show signs of life.

When is an AED used?

Automatic External Defibrillators should be used as soon as possible when a person is experiencing sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). SCA occurs when the heart stops beating unexpectedly, and it can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. During an SCA, the heart may enter an abnormal electrical rhythm, such as ventricular fibrillation (VF), which can be corrected by an electrical shock from an AED.

Early CPR and defibrillation are critical because the chance of survival decreases as time passes without treatment. The use of an AED within the first few minutes of an SCA can increase the survival rate of the person by up to 50%.²Research evaluating community AED use similarly found that AED application before emergency medical services arrival is associated with improved survival outcomes.³

AED vs Defibrillator

An AED or Automated External Defibrillator and a defibrillator are two types of devices used to treat SCA. Both medical devices deliver an electric shock to the heart to restore its normal rhythm. However, there are some differences between the two devices.

Automated External Defibrillators: AEDs are designed to be user-friendly and are commonly found in public places. AEDs are portable, lightweight, and easy to operate, even for individuals with no medical training. They have step-by-step voice and visual prompts that guide the user through the process of using the device.
Defibrillators: These devices are typically used in hospitals, ambulances, and other medical settings. They require medical training and expertise to operate, and they are more complex and expensive than AEDs. Defibrillators can be external or internal, and they are used to treat various heart conditions.

Why AED Accessibility Matters

Cardiac emergencies can happen in workplaces, recreation centres, public buildings, and other community spaces. Heart & Stroke reports that tens of thousands of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in Canada each year.¹ As a result, having AEDs available in public spaces allows bystanders to begin potentially life-saving interventions before emergency responders arrive.⁴ Strengthening emergency response preparedness with accessible AEDs and related equipment helps communities react quickly and potentially save lives.

FAQs

When should you use an AED on someone who is experiencing SCA?

An AED should be used as soon as possible when someone is suspected of experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, meaning they are unconscious, unresponsive, and not breathing normally. Call 911, begin CPR, and follow the AED's instructions.

Can anyone use an AED?

Yes. AEDs are designed to be used by both healthcare professionals and members of the public. The device provides step-by-step instructions and automatically analyses the heart rhythm before determining whether a shock is needed.

Does an AED replace CPR?