TRUTH: They’re designed to guide you—step-by-step—to help save a life.
What are AEDs and where are they?
You’ve likely seen them—those bright yellow, green, or white boxes on walls in train stations, airports, village halls, supermarkets, or even old phone boxes.
What happens during cardiac arrest?
The heart suddenly stops beating effectively.
Blood (and oxygen) stop reaching the brain.
Every minute without help reduces survival chances by 10–12%.
After 3 minutes, brain damage begins.
But if you use an AED within that time? Survival jumps to 80%.
How AEDs Work (and why you can’t get it wrong)
When someone collapses and is unresponsive and not breathing normally (or gasping irregularly):
Open the AED
Follow the voice instructions.
Remove clothing from the chest.
Apply pads
Top right of chest
Below the left armpit
(See image: “AED-Pad-Placement-Adult.jpg”)
The machine checks the heart rhythm.
If a shock is needed, it will ask you to press the button.
If no shock is needed, it will guide you to start CPR.
The Real Danger? Doing Nothing.
No one has ever been successfully sued in the UK for trying to help in an emergency. “The worst thing you can do… is nothing.”
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Book your Emergency First Aid at Work training today—learn to save lives with confidence. www.passionfirstaid.co.uk