When should an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) be used?

An Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) should be used when a patient is unresponsive and has no pulse. This situation indicates that the patient is likely experiencing a cardiac arrest, where the heart is not effectively pumping blood due to an irregular heart rhythm, such as ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. In such critical moments, rapid defibrillation can greatly increase the chances of restoring a normal heart rhythm and improve the likelihood of survival.

For individuals who are exhibit shallow breathing, AED deployment is unnecessary since breathing, albeit shallow, does not indicate cardiac arrest. Similarly, chest pain does not automatically warrant the use of an AED, as it could be due to various non-cardiac causes, or the patient may still have a pulse. Finally, a patient who is conscious and alert is typically not in need of defibrillation, as they are not in a state of cardiac arrest. Using an AED only in situations where it is absolutely necessary, such as when there is no pulse and the patient is unresponsive, is crucial for ensuring the effectiveness of resuscitation efforts.