Can I Use An AED On Someone Who Is Pregnant?

Nov 8, 2021

Can I Use An AED On Someone Who Is Pregnant?

It can be troublesome to know what to do when someone who is pregnant is experiencing sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Is it safe to do CPR? Is it safe to use an AED? The answer to both is yes, it is safe! In fact, doing CPR or using an AED can be the difference between life and death for the victim.

Facts About SCA

SCA can occur at anyone of any age and is the leading cause of death in the United States. Most incidents occur outside a hospital and inside the home. When someone experiences SCA, the heart unexpectedly stops beating and inhibits blood from reaching the brain. This causes the victim to become unconscious and collapse. The response time from the time of the collapse to caring for the victim determines the likelihood of survival for the victim. Rescuers should first call 9-1-1, begin CPR while someone looks for an AED, and once the AED is found it should be used immediately.

Learn about out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Using an AED

Having access to an AED can save someone’s life. If CPR isn’t performed or an AED isn’t used within 10 minutes of the victim’s collapse, the survival rate is close to zero. The AED should be used as you await the arrival of the EMS. You do not need to be a professional to use an AED. Most AEDs come with audio and/or visual cues to give you the most confidence when using it. The audio or visuals will guide you step-by-step as you prepare to shock the SCA victim.

When it is time to shock the victim, the AED will either be fully automatic or semi-automatic. The fully automatic AED will shock the victim automatically. The semi-automatic AED prompts the rescuer to push the shock button for the shock to be delivered.

It is important to remember that AEDs can be used on any one of any age, any gender, and even if they are pregnant. The AED can be what saves their life.