Using an AED: The Science
- Adam Spears
- Apr 30
- 3 min read
Almost everyone is aware that utilising an AED in an emergency can save a life. When someone experiences a cardiac arrest, a nearby AED may be precisely what they need to save their life. Although AEDs are not required, the more we have access to them, the more likely we are to be able to assist folks who are experiencing cardiac problems. An AED can be used to shock a heart back into a normal rhythm in several situations. You may be familiar with how to use an AED, but do you understand how it works on the heart? The science behind using an AED to save a life may be found here.
What Can an AED Do for You?
AED stands for Automatic External Defibrillator, and it is a device that can restore a normal heartbeat to a person who is experiencing an irregular heartbeat (cardiac fibrillation). When someone has a cardiac arrest, their heart begins to beat in an irregular rhythm, knocking them out. When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, an AED is required immediately! When you use an AED, the equipment will monitor the person's cardiac rhythm and provide you with recommendations to help them return to normal. The sooner someone receives AED treatment, the better their chances of survival are!
What is the Function of an AED?
In an emergency, dial 999 immediately and then ask someone to get an AED. The pads are put on the individual's upper torso once an AED is provided, and the defibrillator examines the person's heart. The AED will advise you to give a shock if the heart is in fibrillation (which will be the situation for a cardiac arrest sufferer). Through cardiac monitoring, each AED will be able to determine whether a shock is necessary. Once the subject is clear and the 'Shock' button is clicked, the machine will build up an electric charge and administer it. After an AED has administered a shock, the machine will assess the heartbeat again to see whether any additional action is required.
Voice-activated instructions are another notable feature of AEDs. The machine will offer you commands based on the individual's needs as it analyses the heart rhythm. It will provide services such as:
Instruct responders on how to use the AED pad.
Examine the person's heart to see if a shock is necessary.
Direct responders to take a step back.
Recognize when a shock is being given.
Instruct first responders on CPR.
All of these instructions are straightforward and basic — anyone can use an AED!
What Happens When An AED Is Used?
The AED will notify you that it is charging after it has determined that a shock is required. The equipment is really accumulating an electromagnetic charge that will be delivered as a shock whenever you touch the button during this time. When the patient is clear, the AED will advise you to remain clear of them, and then to hit the shock button. When pressed, the AED sends a shock from the main machine down the pad wires and into the individual's heart, passing from one pad to the next.
A shock is a precisely calibrated electric current applied to pads and conveyed to the heart. These shocks 'de-fibrillate' and 'kick' the heart back into a regular rhythm. The shocks delivered by an AED 'stop' the heart, allowing it to naturally 'restart'. The AED employs an electrical current to kick-start the heart, similar to how CPR uses compressions to assist it return to normal (much more effectively).
What Are the Functions of AED Pads?
A set of pads comes with every AED. These pads are easy to find and install to the face of any AED. Remove each pad from the case, peel off the sticker-backs, and apply to the patient as directed while using an AED. Each pair of pads will come with clear instructions for how to place them on the body (one pad on the right-hand side near on top of the chest, the second pad along the ribs of the left-hand side of the body). The pads will operate as cardiac sensors and electric conductors once you've applied these stickers on in the appropriate places.
The electrodes (sensors) on each pad will assist the machine in monitoring the heart beat. They send the information back to the machine after analysing the heart's rate to see if a shock is required. If a shock is necessary, the primary device's electrical current will transmit the shock to the pads and through the heart.
It is for this reason that appropriate pad positioning is critical. The pad positions are chosen such that the electrical shock passes through the heart between the pads.
Now you know more about how an AED works, why not have a look at our charity partner The Sevenoaks CPR Charity and the work they do with AEDs in our local community!
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