How to Use a Defibrillator (AED)

How to Use a Defibrillator: Step-by-step guide

In the case of an emergency, always call 999. The emergency services are always the best course of action, so you should always make the call. Knowing how to use a defibrillator while you wait for the arrival of an ambulance can save lives.

Step 1

Begin by carrying out a primary survey. According to St John Ambulance, this is the fastest way to ‘find out how to treat any life-threatening conditions a casualty may have in order of priority’. The easiest way to remember is to use St. John Ambulance’s acronym DR ABC: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing and Circulation/999. We recommend you familiarise yourself with DR ABC here. It’s also recommended by all medical professionals and governing bodies that you look out for medical bracelets to indicate whether the casualty has any specific needs, such as epilepsy, for example.

Step 2

Once the primary survey is completed, and you find that the casualty is unresponsive and not breathing normally, ask the nearest person to call 999 for emergency help, and to find the nearest defibrillator. Begin CPR while you wait.

If you are on your own, St John Ambulance advise to use your hands-free speaker to communicate with ambulance control while you carry out CPR, and stress to not leave a casualty to look for a defibrillator yourself, as the ambulance will bring one.

Step 3

Once you have received the defibrillator, switch it on and remove the pads, all whilst continuing to practice CPR. CPR should continue until the electrode pads are applied, the AED is switched on and advises that it can be stopped. You will need to remove or cut clothing to get to the casualty’s bare chest and wipe away any sweat.

You will also need to remove anything that could interfere with the AED pads, such as jewellery or metal, including underwired bras. If chest hair is preventing contact between skin and the defibrillator pads – you will need to shave it off. Many defibrillators are supplied with razors if need be.

The defibrillator will now give you voice prompts on what to do next.

Step 4

Once you have removed the paper backing, you can now apply the pads. The first pad should be on the upper right side below the collar bone, and the second pad should be on the casualty’s left side below the armpit.

Step 5

The defibrillator will now analyse the heart’s rhythm. Make sure to stop CPR once the AED informs you that it is time to do so. There should be clear space between the casualty and anyone attending the scene, including yourself. The AED will give a series of visual and verbal prompts that should then be followed.

If the defibrillator instructs you that a shock is needed, ensure bystanders and helpers are a good distance from the casualty. If you have a semi-automatic AED, it will then tell you when you need to press the shock button. Fully automatic AEDs will do this without human intervention. The defibrillator will tell you to continue CPR for two minutes while it analyses the heartbeat.

If the defibrillator instructs you that no shock is needed, continue CPR until further prompt is delivered, the casualty shows signs of consciousness or once the emergency services relieve you.

Step 6

If the casualty shows signs of becoming responsive, whether that’s coughing or opening eyes for example, and begins to breathe normally, you can now place them in the recovery position. Ensure you keep the defibrillator attached so the AED can monitor their response.