An AED is a device that can be attached to your chest. It senses your heart's rhythm during cardiac arrest and, in some cases, delivers an electric shock to get your heart beating again.
The home AED comes with a short instructional training video that shows how to use and maintain the device. You should watch the video when you buy the device, and periodically review the video to refresh your memory on how to use the device.
In an emergency, the automated external defibrillator will guide you. It offers step-by-step voice instructions to help you through the defibrillation process. It explains how to check for breathing and a pulse and how to position electrode pads on the person's chest.
Once the pads are in place, the AED automatically measures the person's heart rhythm and determines if a shock is needed. If it is, the machine tells a user to stand back and instructs the user to push a button to deliver the shock.
The AED will also guide users through CPR. The process can be repeated as needed until emergency crews take over.