What Happens After You Use an AED?

August 22th, 2025

As soon as emergency medical services (EMS) arrive, the priority shifts to facilitating a smooth handoff. Your responders should provide an oral report summarizing what happened: when the victim collapsed, the timing of CPR, shocks applied, and how the patient responded. This helps EMS take over efficiently, reducing delays in critical care.

This handoff is also an opportunity to help with crowd control, clear access routes, and assist where appropriate. A well-organized transition can preserve continuity of care and maintain safety at the scene.

Document the Event & Download Device Data

AEDs typically store vital data such as heart rhythms, timestamps, and shock history. After the event, a designated person should download and preserve this data for later review. In many organizations, that individual is part of a response team, safety committee, or assigned AED manager.

Simultaneously, responders should complete an incident report capturing key details: who responded, how long CPR was performed, how many shocks, how the patient responded, environmental conditions, and any delays or obstacles encountered. This documentation is essential for post-event reviews, internal audits, and, where needed, regulatory or legal compliance.

Inspect and Restore the AED to Readiness

An AED that has saved a life must be reset promptly. Post-incident procedures typically include:

Visually inspect the device for damage, missing parts, or wear
Replace any consumables used (pads, battery, gloves, etc.)
Run self-checks or diagnostic tests to confirm operational readiness
Return the device to its designated location, with signage or indicators restored

Bystander applying CR2 AED pads on a person experiencing sudden cardiac arrest

It’s critical that the unit is as ready for the next emergency as it was before. Many response plans include verification steps to confirm the AED is fully operational again.

Review Performance & Debrief with Responders

After action, schedule a debriefing session with everyone involved, even bystanders or support staff who witnessed the event. Use it as a learning opportunity, not a blame exercise. Discuss what went smoothly, what delays or challenges occurred, and what could be improved.

In many programs, this debrief also involves a critique of the Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) or internal procedures. Were roles clear? Did communication fail somewhere? Did responders hesitate or encounter unexpected obstacles? Capturing these lessons helps fine-tune your plan before the next event.

Support Responder Well-Being & Training

Responding to a cardiac arrest is stressful. Offer emotional support, counseling, and access to follow-up training. Ensuring your team is mentally and operationally ready helps maintain high morale and confidence. Over time, incident experience should feed into regular refresher training sessions, drills, and simulation exercises.

Preparedness saves lives, but it also builds trust, resilience, and safety within communities.

Monitor Trends & Institutionalize Lessons Learned

One event is instructive; multiple events create insight over time. Track trends in AED usage, response intervals, outcomes, and feedback from responders. Use this data to benchmark performance, report to leadership, and justify further investment in safety initiatives.

Make post-incident reviews part of your annual safety cycle. Revisiting your procedures, communication protocols, and training based on real incidents helps your organization become more resilient and prepared.

Why These Post-Use Steps Matter

Person performing CPR on a training manikin during a first aid class

Patient outcomes depend on continuity of care. The effectiveness of EMS and in-hospital interventions often depends on how well the scene was managed and information was transferred.
Operational readiness is non-negotiable. Your next emergency is never far away. A re-certified and restocked AED ensures you don’t fail when seconds count again.
Organizational learning reduces risk. Every incident reveals gaps—fixing them is how you build a culture of safety.
Risk management and compliance. Thorough documentation, proper device handling, and procedural reviews help protect your organization legally and ethically.
Responder confidence and retention. Teams that feel supported, engaged, and prepared are more effective over time.

Be Ready for the Next Emergency

Using an AED is a heroic and critical act—but what follows is equally important. If your organization doesn’t already have a post-incident AED protocol, now is the time to create one. Visit our resource center to review sample checklists, debrief templates, and best practices to get your team ready for every stage of a cardiac emergency.