Editing Automated external defibrillator (section)

===Mechanism of operation===
[[Image:Defib Checks.jpg|thumb|right|The use of easily visible status indicator and pad expiration date on a Cardiac Science G3 AED]]
An AED is "automatic" because of the unit's ability to autonomously analyse the patient's condition. To assist this, the vast majority of units have spoken prompts, and some may also have visual displays to instruct the user.

"External" refers to the fact that the operator applies the electrode pads to the bare [[chest]] of the victim (as opposed to [[implantable cardioverter-defibrillator|internal defibrillators]], which have [[electrode]]s surgically implanted inside the body of a patient).

When turned on or opened, the AED will instruct the user to connect the electrodes (pads) to the patient. Once the pads are attached, everyone should avoid touching the patient so as to avoid false readings by the unit. The pads allow the AED to examine the electrical output from the heart and determine if the patient is in a shockable rhythm (either ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia). If the device determines that a shock is warranted, it will use the battery to charge its internal [[capacitor]] in preparation to deliver the shock. The device system is not only safer - charging only when required, but also allows for a faster delivery of the electric current.

When charged, the device instructs the user to ensure no one is touching the patient and then to press a button to deliver the shock; human intervention is usually required to deliver the shock to the patient in order to avoid the possibility of accidental injury to another person (which can result from a responder or bystander touching the patient at the time of the shock). Depending on the manufacturer and particular model, after the shock is delivered most devices will analyze the patient and either instruct CPR to be performed, or prepare to administer another shock.

Many AED units have an 'event memory' which store the ECG of the patient along with details of the time the unit was activated and the number and strength of any shocks delivered. Some units also have voice recording abilities<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aedsuperstore.com/zoll-medical-aed-plus-package-with-voice-recording.html|title=ZOLL® AED Plus® Package w/Voice Recording |website=AED Superstore|access-date=2016-05-12}}</ref> to monitor the actions taken by the personnel in order to ascertain if these had any impact on the survival outcome. All this recorded data can be either downloaded to a computer or printed out so that the providing organisation or responsible body is able to see the effectiveness of both CPR and defibrillation. Some AED units even provide feedback on the quality of the compressions provided by the rescuer.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.elecotek.com/zoll-aed-plus-21000010102011010.html |title=Zoll AED Plus Provides Compression Feedback |access-date=2018-08-21 |archive-date=2021-03-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307064043/https://www.elecotek.com/zoll-aed-plus-21000010102011010.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[https://www.htmmedico.com.sg/products/heartsine-aed/ HeartSine AED CPR Advisor detects Compressions depth and rate feedback]</ref>

The first commercially available AEDs were all of a monophasic type, which gave a high-energy shock, up to 360 to 400 [[joules]] depending on the model. This caused increased cardiac injury and in some cases second and third-degree burns around the shock pad sites.  Newer AEDs (manufactured after late 2003) have tended to utilise biphasic algorithms which give two sequential lower-energy shocks of 120–200 joules, with each shock moving in an opposite polarity between the pads.  Others may give a stepped approach to energy delivery, usually in a 200J, a second 200J, then 300J, and finally 360J shock, with any further shocks also being 360 Joules. This lower-energy waveform has proven more effective in clinical tests, as well as offering a reduced rate of complications and reduced recovery time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zoll.com/product_resource.aspx?id=728|title=AED Plus Biphasic Waveform|publisher=ZOLL Medical Corporation|access-date=2008-10-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429210326/http://www.zoll.com/product_resource.aspx?id=728|archive-date=2009-04-29|url-status=dead}}</ref>