Where should the two AED pads be placed on an adult during defibrillation?

Where should the two AED pads be placed on an adult during defibrillation?

• A. Both pads on the chest
• B. One pad on the upper right chest and the other on the lower left chest.
• C. One pad on the abdomen and the other on the chest
• D. Both pads on the back

Answer: (B)

Placing the pads on opposite sides of the chest creates a current path that crosses the heart, which is essential for effectively stopping a shockable rhythm. Put one pad on the upper right chest (just below the collarbone) and the other on the left side of the chest, in the lower left chest area. This anterior-lateral placement directs the defibrillation current through the heart, maximizing the chance of a successful rhythm conversion. Pads placed both on the chest, both on the back, or one on the abdomen and one on the chest don’t establish that optimal heart-facing vector, so they’re not used for standard AED defibrillation in adults.

Placing the pads on opposite sides of the chest creates a current path that crosses the heart, which is essential for effectively stopping a shockable rhythm. Put one pad on the upper right chest (just below the collarbone) and the other on the left side of the chest, in the lower left chest area. This anterior-lateral placement directs the defibrillation current through the heart, maximizing the chance of a successful rhythm conversion. Pads placed both on the chest, both on the back, or one on the abdomen and one on the chest don’t establish that optimal heart-facing vector, so they’re not used for standard AED defibrillation in adults.