Question 1

Where do AED pads go on an adult?

Accepted Answer

For an adult, one pad goes on the upper right side of the bare chest, just below the collarbone. The other goes on the lower left side of the chest, slightly below the armpit. That layout lets the current travel through the heart in the direction the AED is designed to use. The pads themselves have diagrams printed on them; those diagrams are authoritative in the moment, so look at them first rather than trying to recall instructions from memory.

Question 2

Do I put AED pads over clothing?

Accepted Answer

No. The pads need direct contact with bare skin to stick properly and allow the AED to read the rhythm and deliver a shock. If the person is clothed, expose the chest before placing the pads: cut or pull clothing out of the way. Speed matters, but the pads have to be on skin, not fabric, for the AED to work.

Question 3

What if the person's chest is wet?

Accepted Answer

Dry it quickly before placing the pads. Water can prevent the pads from sticking properly and interfere with how well the AED reads the rhythm. A quick wipe with a towel or clothing is usually enough. If the person is in standing water, move them to a dry surface first. Do not delay defibrillation longer than necessary. The goal is good pad contact, not a perfect surface.

Question 4

Can AED pads touch each other?

Accepted Answer

No. If the pads touch or overlap, reposition them before the AED analyzes the rhythm. Overlapping pads can short-circuit the delivery and prevent the AED from working as intended. This comes up most often with children and infants because the chest is smaller. When there is not enough room for the standard front placement without the pads meeting, follow the AED instructions for an alternative setup, usually front-and-back positioning.

Question 5

Is pad placement different for children?

Accepted Answer

It can be, depending on the child’s size and what equipment the AED has. If child pads or a child mode are available, use them and follow the device instructions. The placement may still follow the standard anterior layout if the pads fit without touching. If the child is small enough that the pads would overlap on the front of the chest, the AED instructions may call for a front-and-back setup instead. Check the diagrams and let the device guide the decision.

Question 6

Is pad placement different for infants?

Accepted Answer

Often yes, because the body is so small. When the front placement would make the pads touch, a front-and-back setup is commonly used: one pad on the center of the chest, the other on the center of the back. This avoids overlap and still allows the AED to work as intended. Use infant- or child-specific pads if they are available with the device, and follow whatever placement the AED instructions show for that body size.

Question 7

What if I forget the exact placement in an emergency?

Accepted Answer

Look at the diagrams printed on the pads themselves; they show exactly where each pad goes with a clear illustration. The AED will also give audio instructions once it is on. The device is designed specifically to guide someone who is not a trained clinician through placement, so turning it on and following the prompts is the answer. Prior familiarity with the sequence helps because it reduces freeze time, but the diagrams and voice prompts are there for exactly that situation.

Question 8

Do I need special training to place AED pads?

Accepted Answer

No medical credential is required. Public AEDs are built for use by ordinary bystanders, and the pad placement diagrams and voice prompts walk you through it. That said, hands-on training makes a meaningful difference, not because it teaches something the device cannot explain, but because going through the sequence once with a manikin and actual pads means your hands know what they are doing when it matters. The AHA BLS class covers AED use as part of the full CPR-AED response.

Question 9

What should I do after the pads are on?

Accepted Answer

Step back and let the AED analyze the rhythm. When told to clear, ensure no one is touching the patient and deliver the shock if prompted. Then follow the next instructions, typically to resume CPR immediately. The device will keep directing the response in cycles until EMS arrives. Pad placement is one step in a continuous sequence, not the end of it. If you want the CPR and AED sequence to feel less stressful before you ever need it, AHA BLS training gives you hands-on practice with pad placement, AED prompts, and the rest of the response while an instructor is there to guide you.

Blog

AED Pad Placement: Complete Guide for All Ages

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How to Get CPR Certified

What Is an AED? (Automated External Defibrillator Guide)

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