If you are with a person who has a cardiac arrest, you may need to use a defibrillator. A defibrillator is a device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest. This high energy shock is called defibrillation, and it's an essential part in trying to save the life of someone who’s in cardiac arrest.
Please dial 999 in the event of a medical emergency
How to use a defibrillator
If you're on your own with the individual, don't interrupt CPR to go and find a defibrillator. If it's possible, send someone else to find one. They should call 999 when they reach the defibrillator, and the operator will provide them with an access code.
Please note that if you call 999 to request an ambulance prior to accessing the defibrillator, you should notify the operator that you will be calling again to request the access code.
To use a defibrillator, follow these simple steps:
- Turn the defibrillator on by pressing the green button and follow its instructions.
- Peel off the sticky pads and attach them to the patient’s skin, one on each side of the chest, as shown in the picture on the defibrillator.
- Once the pads have been attached, stop CPR and don’t touch the patient. The defibrillator will then check the patient’s heart rhythm.
- The defibrillator will decide whether a shock is needed and if so, it will tell you to press the shock button. An automatic defibrillator will shock the patient without prompt. Don’t touch the patient while they are being shocked.
- The defibrillator will tell you when the shock has been delivered and whether you need to continue CPR.
- Continue with chest compressions until the patient shows signs of life or the defibrillator tells you to stop so it can analyse the heartbeat again.
Anyone can use a defibrillator and you don’t need training. Once you turn it on, it will give clear instructions on how to attach the defibrillator pads. The device checks the heart rhythm and will only tell you to shock if it’s needed. You can't shock someone accidentally.