How to Use a Defibrillator

Defibrillation is an electrical shock delivered to the heart designed to terminate a life-threatening arrhythmia or cardiac arrest. The Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a device capable of automatically detecting a heart rhythm that requires a shock.^[1] If you are around when someone has sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), you can follow a few simple steps to use an AED to save his life.

1

Confirm cardiac arrest. If you see a person who appears to have an emergency episode, you need to check to ensure that it is cardiac arrest before you use an AED. Check to see if the victim is unable to respond, if he is breathing, and his pulse. You can use the ABC method.^[2] If you find no pulse or breath, you need to start CPR.

• Airway: You need to make sure the airway is open before you check his breathing. To do this, tilt back his head and lift up his chin.^[3] If you see an object obstructing the airway, remove it.
• Breathing: Lean in closely to listen for breathing. Look to see if his chest is rising and falling.^[4]
• Circulation: Feel for a pulse. Signs of circulatory issues include color changes, sweating, and a lower level of consciousness.^{[5]-read more it may help}