AED Use
Why speed matters
An AED analyzes the heart rhythm and delivers a shock to a heart in a shockable rhythm (ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia). Survival drops with every minute without defibrillation, so the AED should be applied as soon as it is available while CPR continues.
Using the AED
Turn it on and follow the prompts. Bare and dry the chest, remove medication patches, and place pads as shown-typically one below the right collarbone and one on the lower left side of the chest, avoiding an implanted device. Clear everyone before the shock, then resume compressions immediately after the shock or if no shock is advised. Keep the pads on and let the AED reanalyze every 2 minutes. For a wet victim, move them out of standing water and dry the chest. For a hairy chest, shave or use a second set of pads if the first does not adhere.
Traps to watch
Questions test whether you should stop CPR to use the AED (no-apply it with minimal interruption), whether you shock a flatline (no-follow prompts), and whether you can use an AED on a wet chest or with an implanted device (dry the chest; avoid placing a pad directly over the device).
Rule of thumb
Apply the AED as soon as it arrives, clear everyone for the shock, and resume compressions right away.
Worked example
A victim is pulled from the pool. Move them from standing water, dry the chest, apply pads, clear everyone, deliver the shock if advised, and resume compressions immediately.