AEDs Were Made for the General Public to Use
Studies have shown that the majority of people report a lack of confidence in using an AED. And many think they’re not even allowed to use one.
But public access defibrillators are onsite because when Sudden Cardiac Arrest stops a victim’s heart, the only way to restart it is with an AED. And every minute’s delay decreases the chance of survival by 10%. Improving survival depends on shocking a victim within 3 minutes of collapse. And in fact, research has shown that 9 in 10 victims who receive a shock within the first minute survive.
Given the average arrival time for EMS is 6 to 13 minutes, that means we all need to be prepared to use an onsite AED, and to advocate for accessible AEDs to in all places youth congregate..
MYTH | FACT |
| An AED should be kept safely locked away. | An AED should ALWAYS be accessible. |
| You must be a medical professional to use an AED. | AEDs are designed for the public to use. |
| AEDs are onsite for EMS to use when they arrive. | AEDs are meant for bystanders to retrieve and use with 3 minutes of a person’s collapse. |
| EMS will always get to a cardiac emergency in time. | The average arrival time for EMS is 6 to 13 minutes. |
| You must be trained to use an AED. | No training necessary—an AED talks you through the steps. |
| You must be an adult to use an AED. | Research shows 11-year-olds can properly apply an AED within 90 seconds after receiving verbal instruction. |
| You’re responsible for determining if the victim needs to be shocked. | The AED device analyzes the heart rhythm. |
| You can hurt someone with an AED. | An AED will only deliver a shock if needed - you can’t mistakenly shock a victim. |
| You are liable if you try to use an AED and the victim does not survive. | The Good Samaritan Law is a national standard that protects anyone who tries in good faith to help. |
Have a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan where you live, learn, work and play. Check out what that looks like.
Find more videos to operate other brands of AED devices at Save Station.