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AED Information

AEDs (Automatic External Defibrillators)

AEDs Save Lives

During Sudden Cardiac Arrest the heart stops suddenly and in 90 percent of the cases the heart goes into a fatal rhythm knows as ventricular fibrillation. The only treatment to correct ventricular fibrillation is to defibrillate by applying an electric shock to the heart. AEDs provide the public with access to defibrillators. They can be used on a victim of any age by people with no medical training.

How to use an AED

What is an AED? How do I know when to use an AED? Can I hurt someone with an AED? These are just a few of the many questions that Nationwide Children's Hospital is answering in an effort to prevent sudden cardiac death in children, adolescents and adults.

What do AEDs look like?

AEDs can come in a variety of colors and styles, but generally look like this

AEDs can come in a variety of colors and styles, but generally look like this

AEDs are easy to use:

  • AEDs have written and illustrated directions.

  • AEDs have voice commands that explain each step.

  • AEDs can be used on adults, children, and infants.

  • AEDs analyze the victim once pads are applied and a green button is pressed.

  • AEDs  will not shock a victim if a shock is not required.

The sooner an AED is used the more likely it will successfully save a life. A Sudden Cardiac Arrest Victim losses a 10% chance at survival for every minute after SCA that an AED is not used.

Information from the American Heart Association’s research conducted in 2018

Survival from cardiac arrest doubled when a bystander stepped in to apply an automated external defibrillator (AED) before emergency responders arrived.

  • The study showed that the longer is takes emergency personnel to arrive, the greater the benefit of a bystander using an AED to shock the victim.

  • “We estimate that about 1,700 lives are saved in the United States per year by bystanders using an AED.” Said senior study author Myron Weisfeld, M.D. “Unfortunately, not enough Americans know to look for AEDs in public locations, nor are they trained on how to use them.”

  • According to Dr. Weisfeld, “Bystanders have the potential to save a life. This should be a great incentive for public health officials and bystanders to strive to have AEDs used on all victims of cardiac arrest.”

  • Without a bystander using AED shock therapy, 70% of cardiac patients either died or survived with impaired brain function.

Where are the AEDs?

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