When is it appropriate to use an automated external defibrillator (AED)?

The use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) is appropriate when a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally. In such situations, the individual is likely experiencing a cardiac arrest, which requires immediate action to restore normal heart function. The AED is designed to analyze the heart’s rhythm and provide a shock if necessary to help reestablish a proper heart rhythm.

Recognizing unresponsiveness and abnormal breathing is critical, as there is a limited window of time during which defibrillation is most effective in saving a life. Ensuring that a person has no pulse and is not breathing serves as a clear indicator that immediate medical intervention is necessary, and deploying an AED can be life-saving.

Using an AED in other scenarios, such as when a person is feeling faint, when water splashing occurs in a pool, or when an individual has a long history of heart problems but is otherwise responsive and breathing normally, may not be appropriate or necessary. In these cases, the heart may not be in a critical state that requires defibrillation.