Aed detects ventricular fibrillation what is the next step
Cardiac arrest is when the heart stops pumping blood and oxygen to the brain and other organs and tissues. Sometimes a person can be revived after cardiac arrest, particularly if treatment is started immediately. However, the more time that passes without blood being pumped to the brain, the less likely it is that the person can be revived, and, if revived, the more likely it is that the person will acquire permanent brain damage.
Brain break is likely if cardiac arrest lasts for more than 5 minutes without the first aid intervention of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which pumps oxygen-containing blood from the heart and lungs to the brain and other organs. Death is likely if cardiac arrest lasts for more than 8 minutes without CPR. Thus, CPR for cardiac arrest must be started as quickly as possible.
Cardiac arrest can be caused by anything that makes the heart stop beating. One common cause, especially in adults, is an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia). Another possible cause is stopping breathing (respiratory arrest), such as when a person drowns or has a severe lung infection (pneumonia) or a grave asthma attack.
A person in cardiac arrest lies motionless and does
Which Action Should You Take Immediately After Providing an AED Shock?
Imagine a close friend or family member suddenly collapses, their heart stops, and you’re faced with the responsibility to save their life. It’s a daunting scenario, but knowing how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) can make all the difference. This blog post will guide you through the essential steps, including which action should you take immediately after providing an AED shock, the importance of combining CPR and AED use to increase survival chances during sudden cardiac arrest, as well as special considerations when using an AED.
Immediate Actions After an AED Shock
In the critical moments following an AED shock, every second counts. The immediate actions you take can significantly impact the person’s chances of survival. Once a shock is delivered, it’s crucial to assess the victim’s pulse and breathing.
Depending on their condition, you may need to take further action, such as resuming chest compressions, following the AED’s voice prompts, or monitoring the person until help arrives.
Resume Chest Compressions
Chest compressions are
Last Updated: 1 Aug 2025
Always call Triple Zero (000) for emergency assistance in Australia. This information is not a substitute for proper AED training by an accredited organisation.
What is an AED?
An AED or Automated External Defibrillator (or “defib” for short), is a portable, electronic device that’s used in a medical emergency to help someone who is suffering a sudden cardiac arrest. An AED detects and analyses a person’s heart activity and, if needed, delivers an electric shock (also called a defibrillation), through the chest to the heart. An AED can restore normal rhythm to the heart.
How to use an AED
Anyone can use an AED and knowing how to use one could save a life. In this simple training video, an Australian accredited instructor from Response for Life explains how to use a defibrillator. Medical training is not required to use an AED.
Steps for using an AED
In an emergency, start by following the DRS ABCD action plan. If defibrillation is required (as the person is unresponsive or not breathing normally), follow these simple steps:
- As soon as an AED is available, turn it on and follow the instructions;
- Remove all clothing from patient’s chest
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
The AED unit is easily portable and preprogrammed to talk through the process.
Along with the battery-powered defibrillator, the unit includes a spare set of pads; scissors to cut the patient’s clothes if needed; disposable protective gloves; a disposable razor to shave chest hair if necessary; absorbent wipes to dry patient’s skin for optimal pad contact; and a pocket mask to deliver breaths. Additionally, an infant/child key accessory is available for use if the patient is under 55 pounds or less than eight years of age.STEP 1
Press the green on/off button to turn on the AED.
The unit will instruct the user to remove all clothes from the patient’s chest.STEP 2
Remove the SMART Pads II case from the carry case.Dry the patient’s skin if sweaty. Skin can be damp but not wet. If necessary, shave excessive chest hair to ensure good pad contact with bare skin.
Pad placement is very important. Open the pads case and peel one pad from the case. The icons on the pads’ placement diagram on the AED front panel will guide the user to correct placement. Press the pad down firmly. Repeat with the seco
Ventricular Fibrillation
Ventricular fibrillation, or VF, is considered the most serious abnormal heart rhythm. VF is extremely dangerous and can lead to sudden cardiac death. Without treatment, the condition is fatal within minutes.
Disordered electrical activity causes the heart’s lower chambers (ventricles) to quiver instead of contracting (or beating) normally. This prohibits the heart from pumping blood, causing collapse and cardiac arrest.
Watch an animation of ventricular fibrillation.
Causes of ventricular fibrillation
VF can have several causes, including:
- Insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle
- Damage to the heart muscle (from a heart attack, for example)
- Cardiomyopathy (a disease of the heart muscle)
- Problems with the aorta
- Drug toxicity
- Sepsis (severe body infection)
- Electrocution accidents or injury to the heart
- Heart attack or angina
- Congenital heart disease
- Heart surgery
- Sudden cardiac death from a sudden blow to the area directly over the heart
- Very high or very low potassium levels in the blood
Signs of cardiac arrest
Ventricular fibrillation can cause sudden cardiac arrest, which requires immediate medical attent