What the Public Should Know about AED Use

Editor's note: This article is written for non-medical civilians. Please share within your district.

Mayo Clinic Article

If you’ve ever watched a TV medical drama, chances are you’ve seen someone shocked back to life by a health care provider who yells, "Clear" before delivering a jolt of electricity to the person's chest to get the heart beating again.

The machine being used is called a defibrillator, and its use isn't limited to a hospital setting. Devices called automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can be used at home and in schools and are also found in a number of public places. These lightweight, portable devices are available without a prescription.

People with severe heart disease who are at risk of sudden cardiac arrest might consider having an AED. But AEDs can resuscitate people only with a specific type of irregular heart rhythm. Talk to a health care provider about whether owning an AED could help save your life.

AEDs are used to revive someone from sudden cardiac arrest. This usually occurs when a disruption in the heart's electrical activity causes a dangerously fast heartbeat (ventricular tachycardia) or a fast and irregular heartbeat (ventricular fibrillation). Either of these irregular heart rhythms keeps the heart from pumping effectively and can cause it to stop.

When this happens, the brain and other vital organs don't get the blood and oxygen they need. This requires treatment within minutes to prevent death. The sooner the heart's rhythm is restored, the greater the chance there won't be permanent damage to the brain and other organs.

If an AED is near someone having ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia, a bystander in a public place or a family member can use it to jolt the heart back to a regular rhythm. Using the AED could possibly save a life.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after cardiac arrest can keep blood flowing to the heart and brain for a time. But often only defibrillation can restore the heart's rhythm. Together these treatments can improve the chances of survival.

If someone has fainted and might need an AED:

The home AED comes with instructions that tell how to use and maintain the device. In homes with an AED, it's helpful for everyone in the home to read the instructions and review them periodically.

Police and ambulance crews carry AEDs. Plus, they’re commonly available in many public places, including malls, office buildings, sports arenas, gyms and airplanes. However, many cardiac arrests occur at home, so having a home AED can save precious minutes in reviving a person with ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia.

Proponents of home AEDs say putting them where they’re needed most will save many lives. But critics argue there's no reliable evidence that home defibrillators save more lives.

For some people at high risk of cardiac arrest, having an AED can provide peace of mind and might help save their lives. Here are some things to keep in mind when considering whether to buy an automated external defibrillator:

If you get an AED for your home, make sure that family, friends and visitors know where it is and how to use it. And you need to keep it working properly. Here are some tips for buying and maintaining a home AED:

AEDs offer a way to save a life. Before buying one, talk to a health care provider and do research. And don't forget to learn the basics, such as CPR.©2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MRMER). All rights reserved.