Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Practice 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Master Your CPR Skills!

The ideal timing for using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) after a cardiac arrest is within minutes of the incident. Rapid defibrillation is crucial because the chance of survival decreases significantly with each passing minute. Specifically, the likelihood of survival drops by about 10% for every minute that elapses without defibrillation. This means that prompt action, including early usage of an AED, is essential to restore the heart's normal rhythm and improve the chances of survival.

Utilizing an AED quickly increases the chances of a positive outcome and is a key component of the chain of survival for cardiac arrest victims. In emergency situations, the use of an AED should not be delayed until emergency services arrive, as they may take several minutes to reach the scene. Waiting for intervention without using an AED also poses significant risks to the victim. Thus, the most effective approach is to use an AED as soon as possible after a cardiac arrest occurs.