Preparation
Confirm that the patient is unresponsive, not breathing normally, and pulseless. Start CPR while the AED is being prepared. Remove clothing from the chest, dry the skin if it is wet, and shave excess hair only if it prevents pad contact.
Applying and Using the AED
Turn on the AED, attach pads according to the diagrams, and clear the patient while the device analyzes the rhythm. If a shock is advised, make sure no one is touching the patient, say clear, and press the shock button. Resume compressions immediately after the shock, without checking for a pulse.
Special Situations
Move the patient away from standing water, and do not place pads directly over medication patches or implanted devices. For children under 8, use pediatric pads or a dose-attenuator if available; if not, use adult pads without overlapping. Analyze every 2 minutes and continue until advanced providers take over.