Sudden cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, at any time. When it does, fast action matters. AEDs are designed so everyday people can help, even without medical training. The device tells you what to do, then you follow along.
Is someone in cardiac arrest right now? Call 111 immediately, put the phone on speaker, start chest compressions, and send someone for the nearest AED. Then follow the steps below.
Quick answer: how do you use an AED? Turn the AED on and it takes over: it talks you through attaching the pads to the person's bare chest, analyses their heart rhythm automatically, and only delivers or advises a shock if one is needed. You cannot shock someone by mistake. No training is required; the full DRSABCD sequence below is what the AED and 111 will guide you through.
Use this as a mental prompt in a high-stress moment. It follows the action plan taught by the New Zealand Resuscitation Council:
Can I hurt someone by using an AED? No. An AED will only advise a shock if it detects a rhythm that needs it. Doing something quickly is always better than doing nothing.
Before helping, check the area for danger. Look for traffic, electricity, water, aggressive behaviour, fire, or anything that could harm you or the patient. If it is not safe, do what you can to remove the danger or wait until it becomes safe to approach.
Keep it simple: if you are not safe, you cannot help. Make the scene safe first.
Check if the person responds. Tap their shoulders and speak loudly. Ask "Are you okay?" then look for movement, speech, or any sign of awareness.
If they respond, keep them comfortable and monitor them. If they do not respond, treat this as an emergency and continue immediately.
Call emergency services straight away. In New Zealand, dial 111. Put your phone on speaker if possible so you can keep working.
If other people are nearby, point to someone specifically and give a direct instruction: "You, call 111." Then: "You, bring the AED."
Open the airway with a head tilt and chin lift. Tilt the head back gently and lift the chin. This helps stop the tongue from blocking the airway.
Quickly check the mouth for obvious blockage. If there is vomit or food, roll them onto their side and clear it if safe to do so, then return them to their back.
Check for normal breathing for up to 10 seconds. Look for chest movement, listen for breathing sounds, and feel for breath.
Important: gasping, snoring, or irregular breaths are not normal breathing. If they are not breathing normally, start CPR immediately.
If they are breathing normally but remain unconscious, place them in the recovery position on their side and keep monitoring until help arrives.
Start CPR right away. CPR keeps blood moving while the AED is being brought to you. Place the person flat on their back on a firm surface, then kneel beside their chest. Put your hands in the centre of the chest and begin compressions.
If trained, use 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. If you are not trained or not comfortable giving breaths, do hands-only CPR continuously. The most important thing is that compressions start quickly and keep going. Learn why CPR quality matters so much.
As soon as the AED arrives, turn it on and follow the prompts. AEDs are designed for laypeople. They analyse the heart rhythm and only advise a shock if it is needed.
Open the lid or press the power button. The device will start talking you through the steps right away. With the ZOLL AED Plus, the voice prompts are clear and easy to follow, which helps reduce panic.
Remove clothing from the chest. Dry the chest if wet. If the chest is very hairy, quickly shave the pad areas if a razor is available. Remove any medication patches from the chest before applying pads.
Apply the pads firmly to the bare chest exactly as shown in the diagrams. The ZOLL AED Plus uses a one-piece pad design that helps speed up placement and reduce mistakes.
Stop CPR when instructed. Ensure nobody is touching the patient while the AED analyses. Say "Stand clear" loudly so everyone understands.
If the AED advises a shock, make sure everyone is clear, then press the shock button when prompted. If it says no shock advised, resume CPR immediately.
Start CPR again immediately after the shock, or after a no shock advised message. The ZOLL AED Plus provides CPR feedback that helps you maintain a good compression pace and depth.
Until help arrives: keep following the AED prompts, keep doing CPR, and re-analyse when the AED tells you to. Continue until emergency services take over or the person starts breathing normally and shows clear signs of life.
It cannot shock the wrong person. An AED only advises a shock when it detects a shockable rhythm. You cannot accidentally shock someone who does not need it.
CPR is still essential. Keep compressions going between AED prompts. Survival drops 7 to 10% for every minute without defibrillation.
It is built for you, not for doctors. AEDs are designed for everyday people. The device speaks every instruction out loud.
Nearby beats perfect. Defibrillation works best within 3 minutes of collapse, so having an AED on site is a strong safety step for homes, workplaces, clubs and venues.
No. AEDs are designed to be used by anyone. The device provides clear voice and visual prompts that guide you through the process. Training helps confidence, but following the prompts is enough to act. Free training videos are here.
No. An AED will only advise a shock if it detects a rhythm that needs it. You cannot accidentally shock someone who does not need it. More misconceptions are corrected in AED myths busted.
Start with the basics. Call 111, start CPR, then turn on the AED and follow the prompts. Doing something quickly is far better than doing nothing, and the device will not let you make a dangerous mistake.
Resume CPR immediately. Some cardiac arrest rhythms are not treatable by shock. CPR keeps blood moving while you wait for the next analysis cycle and for emergency services to arrive.
Yes. Many families choose an AED for home use, especially if there are cardiac risk factors. The biggest benefit is speed, since you do not need to wait for an AED to be brought from elsewhere. See how to choose the right AED.
Knowing how to use an AED gives you a clear plan in a cardiac emergency. Follow DRSABCD, start CPR, then let the AED guide you. You can make a life-saving difference. Learn more about sudden cardiac arrest, compare devices in our NZ AED comparison, or view AED options for your site.
The one difference that matters, and how to choose for your site.
What NZ buyers should know about regulatory approvals.
Getting your AED to the patient inside the three minute window.
The best rescue is the one you are equipped for. Talk to us about the right ZOLL AED for your home, workplace or club.
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