Do you use a defibrillator when the heart stops

A defibrillator should be used when a person is in cardiac arrest. CPR should be done until you can get a defibrillator.

If you see someone having a cardiac arrest, call 999, start CPR and get someone to find a defibrillator. The emergency operator can advise you if you can't find one. Once you get the defibrillator, turn it on and continue CPR until the device tells you to stop. 

How to use a defibrillator

If you're on your own, don't interrupt CPR to go and find a defibrillator. If it's possible, send someone else to find one. When you call 999, the operator can tell you if there's a public access defibrillator nearby.

To use a defibrillator, follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Turn the defibrillator on by pressing the green button and follow its instructions.

Step 2: Peel off the sticky pads and attach them to the patient’s skin, one on each side of the chest, as shown in the picture on the defibrillator.

Step 3: Once the pads have been attached, stop CPR and don’t touch the patient. The defibrillator will then check the patient’s heart rhythm.

Step 4: The defibrillator will decide whether a shock is needed and if so, it will tell you to press the shock button. An automatic defibrillator will shock the patient without prompt. Don’t touch the patient while they are being shocked.

Step 5: The defibrillator will tell you when the shock has been delivered and whether you need to continue CPR.

Step 6: Continue with chest compressions until the patient shows signs of life or the defibrillator tells you to stop so it can analyse the heartbeat again.

Anyone can use a defibrillator and you don’t need training. Once you turn it on, it will give clear instructions on how to attach the defibrillator pads. The device checks the heart rhythm and will only tell you to shock if it’s needed. You can't shock someone accidentally.

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Where can I find a defibrillator?

Defibrillators are normally located in workplaces and public spaces like airports, shopping centres, community centres, and train stations. These defibrillators are known as public access defibrillators (PADs) as anyone can use them. The defibrillator or the case it sits in may say ‘AED’ or ‘defibrillator’. 

If you need a defibrillator in an emergency, the 999 emergency operator may be able to tell you where one is, so you can ask someone to get it. By performing CPR and using a defibrillator, you’ll give someone the best possible chance of survival, but there isn’t always a defibrillator close enough to help save the life of someone having a cardiac arrest.

Visit The Circuit to find your nearest defib

Why do we need more defibrillators?

To help someone who is in cardiac arrest survive, a defibrillator needs to be found as quickly as possible. For every minute it takes for the defibrillator to reach someone and deliver a shock, their chances of survival lower.

There are lots of ways you can help:

  • learn how to perform CPR, we can train you in 15 minutes with our online training, Revivr.
  • watch our defibrillator video, so you're more confident in an emergency
  • encourage your workplace, school or local community to get a defibrillator.

Some iPAD SP1 and iPAD SP1 AUTO defibrillators are being recalled by the manufacturer. If you’re the owner or guardian of a defibrillator, check if yours is affected as soon as possible.

Find out more

You've seen it time and again on TV shows. After someone suffers sudden cardiac arrest, healthcare providers grab the paddles and deliver an electric shock to the patient to help restore a normal heart rhythm.

Technology has given us the automated external defibrillator (AED). This is a small, lightweight, battery operated, portable defibrillator. You may see these devices in schools and public buildings, airports, malls, sports arenas, health clubs, golf courses, and some businesses.

Defibrillation is needed when a heart starts to beat abnormally, and so fast that very little blood can be pumped out to the body. An AED uses an electric shock to help the heart return to its normal rhythm.

Here are some FAQs to help bring you up to speed.

What is an automated external defibrillator?

The automated external defibrillator (AED) is a computerized medical device. It's battery powered with adhesive defibrillator pads that are applied to the chest to allow an electrical current to pass through to the heart to reset the heart's normal electrical current. A normal, regular or organized electrical rhythm through the heart is necessary for the muscle to contract and pump blood to the body.

When a person is in cardiac arrest, they have either no electrical current, a rapid rhythm that doesn't allow for the heart pumping chambers to fill properly (ventricular tachycardia), or a disorganized electrical rhythm or current that doesn't allow the heart muscle to contract and circulate blood to the body (ventricular fibrillation). Ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia can be stopped with an electric shock to restore normal heart rhythm and circulation to the body. This is called either cardioversion or defibrillation.

An AED can check a person's heart rhythm through monitors that are in the defibrillator pads, so you don't have to be a trained expert to recognize irregular heart rhythms to save someone's life using an AED. The AED can recognize a rapid or irregular heart rhythm that requires a shock. And, it can advise the rescuer when a shock is needed. The AED uses voice prompts, lights, and text messages to tell the rescuer the steps to take. 

AEDs are very accurate and easy to use. There are many different brands of AEDs, but the same basic steps apply to all of them. The American Heart Association doesn't recommend a specific model.

Do you need training to use an AED?

No. Most anyone with or without a medical background can learn to use an AED or apply the pads properly and administer a shock by following the prompts provided by the AED. Usually, people learn to use an AED in a course that also teaches CPR. The computerized device will tell a rescuer to push the defibrillate button if cardiac arrest is from an abnormal heart rhythm that could respond to a shock. (Not all rhythms will.) This could be either ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia. Ventricular fibrillation is the most common heart-rhythm problem in victims of sudden cardiac arrest.

Won't the cost of devices like AEDs keep them out of most places?

No. The cost of AEDs has decreased a lot in the past few years. Many of these devices and the replacement components cost about $1500 to $2000. 

Are AEDs really needed in places other than hospitals?

The rate of sudden cardiac death can be reduced by placing AEDs in the community and by teaching people how to use them. Seconds and minutes count when cardiac arrest occurs. The likelihood of survival decreases for every minute that goes by without this type of help.

Is an AED useful for all types of cardiac arrest?

No. Other abnormal rhythms like a very slow heart rate or no heartbeat at all, can't be treated with an AED. When a user puts the AED's electrodes or adhesive pads on a victim's chest, the device determines whether the patient's heart needs to be shocked or not. Then the AED will instruct the rescuer about the next steps. Many of the newer models talk the rescuer through the steps. They automatically deliver the shock if appropriate.

Do AEDs mean CPR is no longer needed?

Absolutely not. The two go together to properly resuscitate someone having a cardiac arrest. An AED can restore a normal heart rhythm in certain cases. Chest compressions in CPR are used to help keep blood flowing through the heart and the body. CPR can double the chances of survival when used properly when a person collapses and just before an AED delivers a shock. CPR should be started while someone else gets the AED.

Does research back the community use of AEDs?

Yes. One study looked at the survival rates of people who had sudden cardiac arrest in casinos and got AED treatment from security personnel. There was a 75% survival rate for people who got their first shock within 3 minutes compared to a 50% survival rate for those shocked after more than 3 minutes.

Do you use a defibrillator on someone whose heart has stopped?

Can You Use an AED on Someone with a Stopped Heart? The short answer to this is no. An AED can only be used on someone with a rapid heart rate. You cannot use it on victims with an extremely slow heart rhythm or those whose heart stops beating.

When should you not use defibrillator?

You should avoid administering electric shock if:.
The Person is Suffering From a Heart Attack. ... .
The AED Is Faulty or Has Expired Parts. ... .
The Victim Has a DNR. ... .
The Victim Is Wet or Lying in Water. ... .
The Victim Has a Medication Patch or Pacemaker. ... .
The Victim Has a Hairy Chest..

How do you restart a heart that has stopped?

The only effective treatment is to deliver an electrical shock using a device called a defibrillator (to de-fibrillate the heart), which stops the chaotic rhythm of a heart in VF, giving it the chance to restart beating with a normal rhythm.

Can you use a defibrillator to restart a heart?

An AED is a type of computerized defibrillator that automatically analyzes the heart rhythm in people who are experiencing cardiac arrest. When appropriate, it delivers an electrical shock to the heart to restore its normal rhythm.