When using an AED (automated external defibrillator), Stanley should turn it on, follow the voice prompts, place the pads on the person’s bare chest, stand clear during analysis and shock delivery, and resume CPR immediately after. The device does most of the thinking. Stanley’s job is to follow each prompt quickly and keep everyone safe while the AED works.
This applies whether Stanley is a trained first responder or a bystander with no medical background. AEDs are designed so that anyone can use them, and Good Samaritan laws in most states protect people who use one in good faith during an emergency.
Before Touching the AED
Stanley’s first priority is making sure the scene is safe and confirming the person actually needs help. If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, Stanley or a bystander should call 911 immediately. If CPR is already underway, it should continue until the AED is powered on and the pads are ready to go. Every second without chest compressions matters.
Turn It On and Follow the Prompts
As soon as the AED is available, Stanley should press the power button. Every AED gives spoken, step-by-step instructions. These voice prompts walk the rescuer through the entire process, from placing the pads to delivering a shock. Stanley does not need to memorize a protocol. He just needs to listen and act quickly.
Prepare the Chest and Place the Pads
Stanley needs to remove all clothing covering the person’s chest. If the chest is wet from sweat, rain, or any other moisture, he should wipe it dry with a towel, a shirt, or whatever is available. Moisture between the pads can cause electricity to travel across the skin instead of through the chest, making the shock ineffective and increasing the risk of sparks.
If the person has excessive chest hair that prevents the pads from sticking flat, Stanley needs to shave the pad areas first. Most AED kits include a disposable razor for exactly this situation. If a medication patch is on the chest where a pad needs to go, Stanley should peel it off and wipe the area clean before placing the pad.
The two pads go in specific locations:
- Right pad: Upper right chest, just below the collarbone and to the right of the breastbone.
- Left pad: Lower left side of the chest, a few inches below the left armpit.
If the person is small enough that the pads might touch each other, Stanley should place one pad on the center of the chest and the other on the back between the shoulder blades. Once the pads are firmly pressed onto the skin, he should plug the connector cable into the AED if it isn’t already connected.
Stand Clear During Analysis
The AED will announce that it’s analyzing the heart’s rhythm. At this point, Stanley must make sure nobody is touching the person. Even slight contact can interfere with the reading. He should say “CLEAR!” loudly enough for everyone nearby to hear, visually confirm that no one is in contact with the person, and then let the AED complete its analysis.
This analysis happens roughly every two minutes during the resuscitation cycle. Each time, Stanley needs to repeat the same clear-and-check routine.
Deliver the Shock or Continue CPR
If the AED detects a rhythm that can be corrected with a shock, it will tell Stanley to press the shock button. Before pressing it, he should confirm one more time that no one is touching the person and call “CLEAR!” again. Then he presses the button. The AED will not shock a normal heart rhythm, so Stanley cannot accidentally harm someone by following the prompts.
If the AED says “no shock advised,” that means the heart’s electrical activity either doesn’t need a shock or is in a state that a shock won’t help. This does not mean the person is fine. Stanley should begin CPR immediately.
After any shock is delivered, Stanley should also start CPR right away. The current guideline from the American Heart Association calls for cycles of 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. He should continue this pattern for about two minutes (roughly five cycles), at which point the AED will pause compressions again to reanalyze the rhythm and determine whether another shock is needed.
Handling Wet or Metal Surfaces
Stanley can use an AED on a wet surface, such as a pool deck or a rain-soaked sidewalk. The key is making sure the person’s chest is dry where the pads are placed and that the pads themselves aren’t sitting in a puddle. He does not need to move the person to a completely dry area, but he should keep the electrode pads away from standing water or any conductive surface.
Metal surfaces, like a factory floor or a metal bleacher, are also safe as long as Stanley follows the same rules: keep the pads off the metal, make sure no one is touching the person during the shock, and clear the area as usual.
People With Pacemakers
If Stanley notices a lump under the skin on the person’s upper chest (a sign of an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator), he can still use the AED. The shock will not damage the device. He should try to avoid placing a pad directly over the implant. If the lump is where a pad would normally go, shifting the pad an inch or two to the side is enough.
Legal Protection for Bystanders
Stanley does not need certification or formal training to use an AED. Good Samaritan laws in most states explicitly protect people who use a defibrillator while rendering emergency care in good faith. These protections cover both trained and untrained rescuers, as long as the person is acting without expectation of payment and not being grossly negligent. Several states amended their Good Samaritan laws specifically to include AED use, reinforcing that legislators want bystanders to act without fear of lawsuits.
The bottom line: Stanley should not hesitate. Cardiac arrest survival drops roughly 10% for every minute without defibrillation. An AED tells you exactly what to do. Stanley’s role is to stay calm, follow each prompt, keep people clear, and continue CPR between shocks until paramedics arrive.