What Is SCA?

Every year in the United States, more than 350,000 incidents of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occur outside of a hospital. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when an electrical malfunction of the heart causes it to suddenly stop beating properly, ceasing blood flow to the victim's brain, lungs, and other organs. The signs of sudden cardiac arrest can include:

• Heart palpitations
• Sudden collapse
• No pulse
• No breathing
• Loss of consciousness

Responding to SCA

An automated external defibrillator (AED) and high-quality CPR can dramatically improve the chances of survival from sudden cardiac arrest. Unfortunately, many victims who need CPR and an AED do not receive early defibrillation, which can mean the difference between life and death. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), cardiac arrest victims who receive a shock with an AED are 2.62 times more likely to survive to hospital discharge, making the use of an AED a critical step in the Chain of Survival for SCA victims. Familiarity with how an AED works along with the proper pad placement might save vital seconds if you find yourself an unexpected rescuer in an emergency. Let's go over a few pieces of information that will help you feel more confident if you need to respond to an emergency cardiac event.

Steps for Using an AED

Most AEDs are designed to guide bystanders, coworkers, and other lay rescuers through a rescue using voice, text, or illustrations. When an emergency occurs and you observe any of the symptoms mentioned above, follow these steps:

1. Call 9-1-1 immediately and send another bystander to find the closest AED.


2. Check to see if the victim is struggling to breathe and if they have a pulse. If the victim is unresponsive and you cannot find a pulse, start performing hands-only* CPR immediately to maintain blood flow to vital organs.


3. When the AED arrives, attach the electrode pads to the victim following the AED guidance. Once connected, the AED will automatically analyze the victim's heart rhythm or ask you to push a button to start the analysis. Don't touch the victim while the AED performs this analysis. Not all SCA victims require a shock immediately, and the AED will let you know what to do next. It may advise you to press a button to administer a shock, or it may automatically administer one. Be sure to follow the visual or audio prompts.


4. After a shock is delivered, the AED will instruct you to continue performing CPR. Some AEDs will measure the rate and depth of your compressions and will instruct you to adjust what you're doing in order to deliver high-quality CPR. Follow the AED prompts to improve CPR quality.


5. Continue administering CPR and following the prompts on the AED until emergency personnel arrive.


6. If you notice obvious signs of life, discontinue CPR and monitor breathing for any changes in condition.

For more information, you can also check out a step-by-step demo of the ZOLL AED Plus^® defibrillator for a demonstration:

Frequently Asked Questions About AED Use

AEDs are designed for easy bystander use, but you may still have some questions about the steps involved during a rescue. Here are a few common ones.

How Do You Apply the AED Electrode Pads?

First, open the victim's shirt and look for any medication patches or jewelry. Wearing gloves, remove both and wipe the victim's chest dry. Attach the pads according to the instructions provided by the audio, visual, or text prompts from the AED. Most electrodes have an adhesive backing that will stick firmly to the victim's bare chest. Connect the other ends of the electrode pads to the AED if they are not pre-connected and continue to follow the AED's instructions.

Can an AED Be Used on Children?

Yes. Most standard AEDs can be used on children over the age of 8 or weighing more than 55 pounds. For younger or smaller children, the American Heart Association recommends using pediatric electrode pads that deliver a shock at a lower energy level. Some ZOLL AEDs offer a pediatric setting, but all can be used with pediatric-specific pads. However, using a standard AED is better than simply waiting for emergency responders to arrive. Pediatric SCA victims are more likely to survive if defibrillation is performed.

What Is AED Certification?

AED certification is an optional component of CPR and first aid certification training. There are two types of AED certifications — one for professional emergency responders and one for community/workplace responders. Remember that you do NOT need to be certified to use an AED. AED certification offers an opportunity to practice responding to an SCA event in the presence of a certified CPR instructor, helping you be prepared and more confident should you need to use the defibrillator. You can learn more and sign up to be AED-certified here.

Sudden cardiac arrest doesn't discriminate based on a victim's age, health, or location. That's why you'll find AEDs in schools, offices, and other public spaces — anywhere large groups of people gather. AEDs are typically placed in highly visible locations in a case bearing a red heart sticker.

Now that you know the SCA signs to watch for and how to use the AED, you'll feel more confident if you're the bystander who is unexpectedly called on to grab the nearest AED and help in a rescue.

Learn More

Interested in learning more about how to use an AED? Check out our training videos.

*Hands-only CPR is recommended during the COVID-19 pandemic. Keep up to date with the latest guidance by visiting heart.org.