American Heart Association Defibrillation Guidelines

Automated external defibrillators have become increasingly common in busy public places. They give a life-saving shock to someone having a dangerous arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), or a person whose heart has stopped. The American Heart Association endorses these devices, and offers recommendations and training to ensure that they are used safely and effectively.

Emergency Personnel

• The American Heart Association recommends that all emergency personnel be trained to use automated external defibrillators. This includes all first responders, regardless of whether they work in a hospital.

Availability for Emergency Vehicles

• Although AEDs have become commonplace in public buildings, the American Heart Association recommends that all emergency workers have immediate access to either an AED or a traditional defibrillator, provided the crew has been trained for defibrillation. The AHA encourages all ambulances and other emergency transport vehicles to have a defibrillator.

Public Places

• The American Heart Association recommends automated external defibrillators in any place where there are large numbers of people. This includes airports, stadiums, large offices or industrial buildings, public buildings and large fitness centers, for example.

Training

• Many AEDs have easy-to-follow emergency instructions, but the American Heart Association also offers a four-hour training course called Heartsaver AED. The course is designed for non-medical rescuers and first responders.