When Should the Rescuer Operating the AED Clear the Victim?
Twice: first when the AED is analyzing the heart rhythm, and again immediately before delivering a shock. No one may touch the victim during analysis or when the AED prompts "stand clear," because contact can distort the reading or cause the rescuer to be shocked.
The answer
The rescuer operating an automated external defibrillator (AED) must clear the victim twice: once while the AED analyzes the heart rhythm, and again immediately before the shock is delivered. "Clear" means ensuring that no one — including the rescuer — is touching the victim or anything the victim is touching. The AED announces both moments, typically saying "Analyzing now, do not touch the patient," and then "Stand clear, deliver shock now" or automatically counting down.
Why clearing matters at each point
During analysis: the AED reads the heart's electrical activity to decide whether the rhythm is shockable (ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia). Any movement — chest compressions, someone leaning on the patient, or even a hand resting on the skin — introduces electrical noise and motion artifact that can cause the device to misread the rhythm. Clearing guarantees a clean, accurate analysis.
Before the shock: the AED delivers a strong electrical current through the chest. If a rescuer or bystander is in contact with the victim, that current can pass into them, causing injury or a dangerous shock. The rescuer should perform a visual sweep — head, torso, feet — and loudly state "I'm clear, you're clear, everyone's clear" before pressing the shock button (or before the device shocks automatically).
The correct AED sequence
- Power on the AED and follow its voice prompts.
- Expose and dry the chest; attach the pads as pictured (upper right chest and lower left side).
- Plug in the connector if needed and stop CPR.
- Clear the victim and let the AED analyze the rhythm.
- If a shock is advised, clear the victim again, confirm no one is touching, and deliver the shock.
- Immediately resume CPR starting with chest compressions for about two minutes, then let the AED re-analyze.
Common misconceptions
Some learners think you clear only once, right before the shock. That is wrong — touching the patient during analysis can cause the machine to advise the wrong action. Others think you should keep doing compressions during analysis to save time; you must not, because motion corrupts the reading. And you never delay a shock to "double check" a pulse yourself — the AED's analysis is the decision point. Finally, clearing is required every time the AED re-analyzes, not just the first cycle. Remembering the two clear points — analyze and shock — is the heart of safe, effective AED use.
- 1
Turn on AED and attach pads
Follow voice prompts; place pads on bare, dry chest as pictured. Stop CPR once pads are on.
- 2
CLEAR #1 — rhythm analysis
Announce 'Clear!' and ensure no one touches the victim so the AED reads the rhythm without motion artifact.
- 3
AED decides
The device advises 'shock' (VF/pulseless VT) or 'no shock advised.'
- 4
CLEAR #2 — before the shock
Do a head-to-toe visual sweep, state 'I'm clear, you're clear, everyone's clear,' then press shock (or let it auto-deliver).
- 5
Resume CPR
Immediately restart chest compressions for ~2 minutes, then let the AED re-analyze (clearing again each cycle).
Frequently asked
Why must you clear the victim before an AED shock?
Because the AED sends a strong electrical current through the chest. If a rescuer or bystander is touching the victim, that current can pass into them and cause injury or a dangerous shock. Clearing everyone ensures the energy goes only to the patient.
What are the steps to using an AED?
Turn on the AED, attach the pads to the bare dry chest as pictured, stop CPR and clear the victim for analysis, deliver a shock if advised after clearing again, then immediately resume CPR with chest compressions for about two minutes before the next analysis.
Can you touch a patient during AED analysis?
No. Touching the patient during analysis creates motion and electrical artifact that can cause the AED to misread the rhythm and advise the wrong action. Everyone must stay clear until the device finishes analyzing and announces its decision.
What does the AED say before delivering a shock?
The AED typically announces something like 'Shock advised, stand clear' and 'Do not touch the patient,' then either instructs the rescuer to press the flashing shock button or counts down and delivers the shock automatically. The rescuer confirms everyone is clear first.