1. Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)
Survival rates plunge 7–10 percent every minute defibrillation is delayed*
EMS and hospital code teams can encounter delays
Quick action by the first person on-scene can save a life
100 90
Success rates decrease 7-10% each minute 80 70 60
% Success 50 40 30 20 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Time (minutes)
* Non-linear
Adapted from text: Cummins RO, Annals of Emergency Medicine 18:

2. What is an AED? Device that looks for shockable heart rhythms
Delivers a defibrillation shock if needed
Small, portable, size of laptop computer
Simple, automatic
An AED is a device that analyzes the heart’s rhythm and tells the user to deliver a shock if it is needed.
An AED is small, about the size of a laptop computer. It is portable and can be carried to where the victim is. An AED is very easy to use.
This is how it works: (Demonstrate with AED if available)
Once the AED is turned on, it begins giving instructions, both audible and written.
The AED will tell the user to deliver a shock if it is needed.
The AED is designed to prevent a shock from being delivered if it is not needed.

3. What is an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)?
Used to save the life of a victim of Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Specifically designed to allow non-medical personnel with minimal training to successfully defibrillate
Safe – Only shocks a patient if a shock is needed
The AED determines if the patient is in Sudden Cardiac Arrest, not the person providing treatment 1. 2. 3. 4.

4. Anyone Can Use an AED
Voice prompts and visual cues designed for the minimally trained user
It “talks” the user through the process in non-medical terms