Need AED Certification? Get Trained on AEDs with an Online Course
Written by Staff Writer | Edited by Michael Purser
Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training may someday help you save a coworker’s life. AED and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification can help you provide better cardiac first aid care during a medical emergency. Certification can also boost your resume and help you advance your career.
An automated external defibrillator is a lifesaving device that’s especially effective at increasing the survival rate of patients who suffer a sudden cardiac arrest — a deadly event in which the heart stops beating effectively.
More than 350,000 sudden cardiac arrests happen outside of hospitals each year, according to the American Heart Association. About three-fourths of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) happen in homes or residences. About 10,000 sudden cardiac arrests happen in workplaces, according to OSHA.
Without help, most people who suffer a heart attack or similar event will die. Many victims are alone at the time of the event, but some experience cardiac arrest in front of family members, coworkers or others.
Unfortunately, most bystanders lack the confidence to use an AED effectively. Many people have never even seen one before. What’s more, medical emergencies can be chaotic, especially when nobody takes charge.
AED training and certification give you the knowledge, the skills and the confidence you need to operate these crucial devices if you should ever encounter someone having a sudden cardiac arrest.
How AEDs Save Lives
As you probably know, strong muscles in the heart pump oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to the tissues and organs in the human body. Specialized cells in the heart generate regular electrical signals that make the cardiac muscles contract strongly.
This rhythmic squeezing action of the heart muscles effectively pumps blood. If these rhythms become irregular, the heart does a poor job of pumping blood — depriving the brain and other organs of critical oxygen.
Performing CPR can help simulate the function of the heart to push oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. In fact, CPR can double or even triple someone’s chances of surviving a heart attack. Unfortunately, CPR, by itself, cannot restore the electrical activity of the heart.
That’s what an AED is for. These machines work by sending an electrical shock that may restore the heart’s normal rhythm.
More specifically, sensors detect whether the patient has a heartbeat. If not, the device sends electricity through wires to pads stuck to the victim’s chest, which then travels to the heart. The jolt of electricity can restore the heart's natural rhythm, allowing it to beat on its own again.
Restoring the heart's healthy rhythm is known as defibrillation. The “D” in AED stands for defibrillator.
They Can Save Lives, But It Is Important to Use Them Correctly
Similarly, the “A” stands for automated. But the device still requires a human operator. While many models include voice prompts and visual cues, inexperienced users often lose valuable time trying to figure out how to use the device.
Every second counts when someone’s life is on the line. The correct use of an AED can double the survival rate after an OHCA, according to a recent study, compared with standard CPR alone.
What’s more, an inexperienced user may place the pads in the wrong spot on the patient’s chest, fail to follow the instructions or even injure themselves by touching live electrical elements at the wrong time.
Every Second Counts
Waiting for emergency medical services wastes precious time during the most crucial phase of care. In fact, delays can result in a dismal survival rate between 5% and 7%. By comparison, up to 38% of patients who undergo immediate defibrillation with an AED survive after their cardiac arrest.
Inexperience can also waste valuable seconds. Looking for the machine, struggling to open packaging, fumbling with the pads and trying to listen to instructions in a chaotic environment are all time-consuming tasks. Delays can decrease the victim’s chances of survival. In fact, the chances of survival decrease by about 10% for every minute CPR and defibrillation are delayed.
The Benefits of AED Training
Training and certification help individuals provide prompt, effective CPR and defibrillation.
Quality training helps rescuers learn how to:
- Recognize the symptoms of cardiac distress and notify emergency medical services (EMS) personnel
- Recognize and operate an AED
- Place the pads correctly
- Provide timely defibrillation
- Care for the patient until EMS arrives
What Is AED Certification?
Expert training can teach you how to recognize a sudden cardiac arrest, call for professional medical help and defibrillate a patient’s heart. Many programs offer CPR AED certification, which covers both cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator skills, preparing individuals to respond effectively to sudden cardiac emergencies.
AED certification requires the completion of a recognized training course and a demonstration of your hands-on skills to an experienced trainer.
The Differences Between AED-Certified and CPR-Certified
While these two credentials are similar in many ways, there are key differences between AED and CPR certifications. CPR certification training covers emergency first aid procedures like chest compressions and rescue breathing. AED certification training prepares you to restore the function of the heart with the help of appropriate equipment.
CPR training includes instruction on how to:
- Assess the situation
- Determine whether the patient needs CPR
- Perform CPR as necessary, using the Compressions, Airway and Breathing (CAB) method
- Clear the patient’s airway as needed
- Position the patient during recovery
Training requirements for using an automated external defibrillator include:
- Assessing the situation
- Identifying the need for intervention
- Operating the machine correctly to administer muscular stimulation
Both skills are crucial forms of first aid. But they aren’t the only ways to help a stricken friend or coworker. Additional first aid training can prepare you to help in many other situations.
Building Confidence
Witnessing a sudden cardiac arrest in the workplace is stressful, especially when witnesses don’t know what to do. About 70% of Americans say they feel powerless during a cardiac emergency, according to the American Heart Association.
Many are worried about making things worse because they’ve never used the equipment before and don’t know how to operate it. Others are unsure that they could recognize an AED or do not realize that non-medical professionals could use them. Training and certification give bystanders the confidence they need to take action and save lives.
Effective training builds confidence by providing practical information that is useful in real-life situations. A basic education also demystifies the device, giving students the confidence needed to handle and operate an AED. This confidence helps users overcome any fears about defibrillation in the event of an emergency.
Good for Workers and Employers
In today’s job market, it pays to set yourself apart from other applicants. AED training and certification look great on a resume and provide peace of mind for you, your coworkers and your bosses. It demonstrates your preparedness, responsibility and commitment to safety.
Having a highly trained workforce is also good for employers. Benefits of having one or more trained and certified workers include:
- Creating a safer workplace
- Showing that the organization cares about its employees’ health and well-being
- Improving team morale
- Fulfilling ethical and legal obligations to worker safety
AED training isn’t just for medical professionals. In fact, high-quality emergency health training is beneficial in every industry, including:
- Schools and educational organizations
- Corporate offices
- Sports and recreation
- Hospitality and service
- Manufacturing and warehousing
Certification is appropriate for employees at all levels, from executives to those in entry-level positions.
Legal Requirements and AED Certification FAQs
Medical care of any kind is highly regulated, including emergency defibrillation. Here are the basics of providing this kind of first aid.
Are AEDs Required in Public Places?
Yes. All 50 states mandate AEDs in some public locations. Exact placement rules vary, but most states require devices in high-traffic or high-risk areas to support fast response times.
Do I Need Training to Use an AED?
AEDs are designed for users with limited training and include audio and visual prompts. However:
- About 45 out of 50 states require some level of AED training for responders.
- Several states mandate AED or CPR training for specific professions, schools or workplaces.
Am I Protected If I Use an AED?
Most states offer Good Samaritan protections. These laws typically shield certified responders, first responders and trained bystanders who act in good faith.
What Training Counts as “Certified”?
- Completing a recognized AED or CPR program
- Demonstrating hands-on skills to an instructor
- Meeting any state-specific requirements for your role
Online Skills Training
You don’t have to set foot in a classroom to learn how to save lives. Online AED training can provide you with all the knowledge you need to earn your certification.
Online classes are available for both initial certification and renewal, making it easy to find the right training format for your needs. With 24/7 access to course materials, you can get the training you need when and where it’s most convenient for you.
Our courses are designed with you in mind, featuring easy-to-understand language and user-friendly navigation. Anyone can build a safer workplace with our high-quality, 100% online education courses. Enroll today to prepare for your AED certification or check out more than 150 other programs in our extensive course catalog.