Call 911 if:
- The person may be having sudden cardiac arrest.
1. Check Responsiveness
- For an adult or older child, shout and shake the person to confirm consciousness. Do not use AED on a conscious person.
- Check breathing and pulse. If absent or irregular, prepare to use AED as soon as possible.
2. Prepare to Use AED
- Make sure the person is in a dry area and away from puddles or water.
- Check for body piercings or outline of an implanted medical device, such as a pacemaker or implantable defibrillator.
- AED pads must be placed at least 1 inch away from piercings or implanted devices.
3. Use AED
For newborns, infants, and children up to age 8, use a pediatric AED, if possible. If not, use an adult AED.
- Turn on the AED.
- Wipe chest dry.
- Attach pads.
- Plug in connector, if necessary.
- Make sure no one is touching the person.
- Push “Analyze” button.
- If a shock is advised, check again to make sure no one is touching the person.
- Push “Shock” button.
- Start or resume chest compressions.
- For an adult, see The Importance of CPR for information about giving CPR.
- For a child, see CPR for Children.
- Follow AED prompts.
4. Continue CPR After Using AED
- After 2 minutes of CPR, check the person’s heart rhythm. If it’s still absent or irregular, give another shock.
- If a shock isn’t needed, continue CPR until emergency help arrives or the person begins to move.
- Stay with the person until help arrives.