AED Basics: What You Need to Know
The automated external defibrillator is a simple device that can make a profound impact.

Workplaces that have AEDs and trained teams ready to use them are best prepared to handle the worst-case scenario.
Image of Zoll’s AED Plus in use courtesy of ZOLL Medical.
Max Mayfield, former director of the National Hurricane Center, once remarked, “Preparation through education is less costly than learning through tragedy.” While referring to hurricanes, his words are equally applicable when it comes to mindsets around responding to a cardiac arrest.
More than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen annually, 10,000 of which take place in the workplace. If immediate CPR and an automated external defibrillator (AED) are not used, nearly 90 percent of people who suffer a cardiac arrest will not survive.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
AEDs are a critical part of the cardiac arrest chain of survival – a simple device that can make a profound impact. Answers to frequently asked questions include:
What is an AED, and how does it work?
An AED is a sophisticated, yet easy-to-use medical device. It analyzes the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, delivers an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm. AEDs are designed to be user-friendly, with clear instructions on how to operate it in case of an emergency.
The average response time for first responders once 911 is called is 8-12 minutes, so having access to an AED and knowing how to use one is critical in the moments before help arrives. For each minute defibrillation is delayed, the odds of survival are reduced by approximately 10 percent. These devices, therefore, can provide a second chance at life for someone in cardiac arrest.
Why is it important to have AEDs available in the workplace?
The most common place that someone can suffer a cardiac arrest is at home, followed by work. Workplaces that have AEDs and trained teams ready to use them are best prepared to handle the worst-case scenario.
Are there any legal or regulatory requirements for having AEDs in the workplace?
While there is no federal law requiring employers to provide AEDs in the workplace, all 50 states have enacted laws or regulations regarding AED availability, use, training requirements and medical oversight. Although not explicitly mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), this agency strongly encourages employers to consider having AEDs readily available, especially in high-risk industries.
What are the common misconceptions about AEDs?
People in a position to respond to a cardiac arrest with an AED generally have three major concerns. First, they want to know if using an AED will hurt the person suffering from cardiac arrest. This is not true. The best and only way to survive cardiac arrest is with CPR and a shock from an AED.
Second, what are the legal ramifications? All 50 states have Good Samaritan laws that provide civil liability protection for individuals who use an AED in good faith during an emergency. Some manufacturers go even further. For example, Avive Solutions offers a robust indemnification policy that protects users of its AEDs regardless of training.
Third, responders want to be sure they are using the device correctly. A recent survey from ZOLL Medical found that 45 percent of Americans would be more confident using an AED if it provided real-time coaching and feedback, including verbal and/or visual instructions. ZOLL is unique in that it is the only manufacturer that provides real-time CPR feedback on all its AEDs. Beyond that, the American Red Cross strongly recommends CPR and AED training so that individuals feel confident acting when moments matter.
One final misconception is that AEDs should be locked up for safekeeping. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, AEDs should be as accessible as a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit in the event of an emergency. AED locations and access points should be made clear through signage, training and information guides at a specific location.
What are the latest developments in AEDs?
There are several models of AEDs specifically designed to be fully connected through Wi-Fi and cellular, enhancing AED maintenance and making them easier to locate and access. Many AEDs, including those from the four major manufacturers (Avive, Phillips, Stryker and ZOLL), help empower bystanders with built-in audio and/or visual cues.
The Avive Connect AED goes a step further. It is the first and only device that automatically alerts 911 once the AED has been deployed and completed its initial shock analysis, streamlining emergency response and ultimately increasing the chances of saving lives.
What factors should a company consider when deciding to implement an AED program?
Alyssa Fillmore, director of workplace products for the Red Cross, oversees CPR/AED training for the organization. She outlines the key criteria when deciding to implement an AED program:
- Define the parameters of the program. Will the AEDs be able to be used by all employees? Where will they be placed? Companies may also want to coordinate the program’s development with local medical personnel and ensure that it meets any local or regional requirements.
- Develop an emergency action plan that details the steps to take during a cardiac emergency. This plan should include how to access and use an AED, whom to contact for assistance and the actions to follow until professional medical help arrives.
- Train. Train. Train. “The device on the wall is only effective if people understand its purpose and have the proper training to use it and respond appropriately,” says Mark Peters, vice president of sales for Avive Solutions. Peters cites the Red Cross as the gold standard in CPR/AED training. He works closely with the organization to ensure that respondents are confident using the device if they ever have to.
How can a company ensure that their AED is up-to-date?
An AED is not a “one-and-done” device. AEDs purchased from ZOLL, Stryker, Phillips and Avive come with a maintenance schedule to ensure that their devices are working when needed. In fact, the newest AEDs are Wi-Fi-connected, making regular checks more efficient for the health and safety manager. These periodic checks help ensure that the internal circuitry, pads and battery function and will be ready in the event of an emergency. Finally, keeping detailed records of maintenance activities can help track the device’s condition and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
What are some AED best practices followed by proactive safety managers?
The best safety managers realize that an AED program is not “set it and forget it.” “AEDs need to be part of a holistic approach incorporated into a broader safety program,” says Blair Brown, global product marketing manager, Public Safety Marketing, ZOLL Medical. “People need to know why they’re there, what they’re there for and how to use them.”
OPTIMIZING YOUR AED PROGRAM
Setting up an AED program is not complex, but they require more than just acquiring an AED and putting it on the wall. To ensure the program’s success, it’s essential to educate staff about the importance of the device and how to use it effectively. Regular training sessions like those offered by the Red Cross should be conducted to familiarize everyone with the AED’s operation and the steps to take during an emergency. Additionally, maintaining the device and ensuring it is always in working order is crucial. By taking these steps, an AED program can truly make a difference in saving lives. WMHS
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