What does AED stand for? It stands for Automated External Defibrillator, a portable device that can check a person's heart rhythm and, if needed, deliver an electric shock to help the heart get back into a normal beat. You will find them in a wall case marked with a heart and a lightning bolt at airports, schools, gyms, offices and stadiums.
An AED is built for ordinary bystanders, not just doctors. Once you open it and turn it on, a recorded voice tells you each step, and the machine decides for itself whether a shock is called for.
Quick facts
Stands for
Automated External DefibrillatorType
Initialism, said A E DUsed for
Sudden cardiac arrest, when the heart stops pumping wellWorks with
CPR, chest compressions between rhythm checksWhere found
Schools, airports, gyms, offices, police carsArticle
"an AED"Other meaning
AED is also the currency code of the UAE dirham
What does AED stand for in medical terms?
| Letter | Word | What it means here |
|---|---|---|
| A | Automated | The device analyzes the rhythm and guides you on its own |
| E | External | Pads go on the skin of the chest, outside the body |
| D | Defibrillator | It sends a shock meant to stop a chaotic heart rhythm |
To defibrillate is to stop fibrillation, a quivering, disorganized rhythm in which the heart cannot pump blood. A shock gives the heart a chance to reset so its own pacemaker cells can take over again. External devices differ from implanted ones, which sit under the skin and are placed by a surgeon.
What does AED stand for in CPR training?
In a CPR class, the AED is the second half of the lesson. CPR keeps some blood moving to the brain by pressing on the chest, and the AED may fix the rhythm problem itself. Classes teach the two together because each buys time for the other.
The chain usually runs like this: call emergency services, start chest compressions, send someone for the AED, and use it as soon as it arrives. Compressions continue between the device's checks.
Using an AED, step by step
- Turn it on. Some open and start talking when you lift the lid; others have a power button.
- Expose the chest and wipe it dry if it is wet.
- Place the pads as the pictures show, usually one below the right collarbone and one on the left side below the armpit.
- Stand clear while the device analyzes. No one should touch the person.
- Press the shock button if told to. Some models shock on their own after a warning.
- Resume CPR right away and keep following the voice prompts until help takes over.
Spoken by the device: "Shock advised. Stay clear of patient. Press the flashing button now." The machine has found a rhythm a shock may help and is ready to deliver it.
Common worries about AEDs
- Can I shock someone who does not need it? The device checks the rhythm first and will not advise a shock unless it finds one that a shock may treat.
- Can I hurt them? A person in cardiac arrest is not breathing normally and has no pulse. Doing nothing is the bigger risk.
- Do I need training? Training helps, but the voice prompts are written for first time users.
- What about legal trouble? States have Good Samaritan laws meant to protect people who help in good faith, though the details vary by state.
Cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack
People often mix the two. A heart attack is a blockage that cuts blood flow to part of the heart muscle; the person is usually awake and may have chest pain. Cardiac arrest means the heart has suddenly stopped pumping effectively; the person collapses and does not breathe normally. An AED is for cardiac arrest. A heart attack can lead to arrest, which is why an AED nearby is useful either way. Stroke warning signs are a separate topic covered by BE FAST.
Other AED meanings and look-alikes
Outside first aid, AED is the three letter currency code for the United Arab Emirates dirham, seen on exchange boards and travel receipts. Do not confuse an AED with an EKG or ECG, which records heart activity in a clinic but does not shock. More everyday safety letters, such as SOS, sit with hundreds of others on our famous acronyms page.
Questions people ask
What is the AED abbreviation short for?
AED is short for Automated External Defibrillator. It is a portable device that checks the heart rhythm and can deliver a shock during sudden cardiac arrest.
Whats AED stand for on a sign in a building?
A sign with a heart and a lightning bolt marks where an Automated External Defibrillator is stored. Anyone can open the case in an emergency, and an alarm may sound when you do.
Is AED an acronym?
It is an initialism, said "A E D." Calling it the AED acronym is also normal in casual talk, and nobody will misread you.
Can anyone use an AED?
Yes, they are designed for the public. The voice prompts walk you through each step, and the device decides whether to shock.
Can an AED be used on children?
Many AEDs can be used on children, often with child pads or a child setting. Follow the device's instructions and use adult pads if child pads are not available.