When using an AED on an adult, how should the pads be placed?

When using an AED on an adult, the correct placement of the pads is essential for effective defibrillation. The recommended configuration is to place one pad on the upper right chest (to the right of the sternum) and the other pad on the lower left side of the chest (below the left breast or rib cage). This placement, with one pad on the front and the other on the back, allows for efficient delivery of the electric shock across the heart, which is crucial for restoring a normal heart rhythm in cases of cardiac arrest.

This orientation maximizes the chances of the electrical shock passing through the heart muscle effectively. Additionally, it helps to ensure that the pads are not placed over any bony structures, which can interfere with the shock delivery.

Alternative placements, like putting both pads on the front of the chest, would not create an effective electrical pathway across the heart, significantly reducing the chances of successfully resuscitating the individual. Similarly, placing one pad on the abdomen and another on the chest, or distributing the pads on the sides of the chest, would be ineffective and are not recommended. Each of these configurations fails to optimize the shock’s intrathoracic travel pathway. Thus, placing one pad on the front and the other on