Automated External Defibrillator

An automated external defibrillator or an AED is a portable defibrillator used to restore normal heart rhythm, or a heart beat, to people in cardiac arrest. An AED is applied outside the body. It will automatically analyze the person’s heartbeat and tells the rescuer whether or not a patient needs a shock to restore a normal heartbeat. If the patient’s heart resumes beating normally, the heart has been defibrillated. An automated external defibrillator is used to treat heart attack victims. It is a life-saving device because cardiac arrest is a very sudden condition that is fatal within a few minutes if it isn’t treated very quickly.

Heart attacks and other heart conditions can cause what is know as a ventricular fibrillation. With ventricular fibrillation, the electrical pulse signals in the lower part of the heart are uncoordinated causing “flutterings”. Very little blood is pumped from the heart to the body, lungs, or brain. If ventricular fibrillation is not treated very quickly, it will cause Cardiac Arrest.

AEDs, or automated external defibrillators, can be found most in public places, like airports and office buildings. Doctors will sometimes recommend having a defibrillator in the home of patients with heart disease.



An AED works because it has a small computer, electrodes, and electrical circuitry. The electrodes collect the information on the rhythm of the patient’s heartbeat. The microprocessor interprets the rhythm. And, if the heart is in ventricular fibrillation, the computer will recommend giving a shock to defibrillate the heart. The adhesive electrode pads are placed in the approriate areas on the body and the shock is delivered through the victim’s chest wall, and into the heart. There are special low-power electrode pads for use on children.

The AED delivers an electric shock that stuns the heart just for a moment and stops all activity. This can help the heart to have a chance to restart normal activity and resume beating properly.


A Automated External Defibrillator should never be used on a patient who has a pulse. It should also not be used in conditions where the patient cannot be isolated from other people.


Most states have some tax money set aside for funding the installation of AEDs in most public places. Many places also offer classes demonstrationg the proper usage of an AED. To find distributors of AEDs just browse the World Wide Web, or check with your local medical supply store.