Can you use an AED on someone who is wet?

To use an AED on someone who is wet:

  1. Remove the person from the water
  2. Make sure there are no puddles around you, the AED, or the person needing defibrillation.
  3. Remove wet clothing and dry the person’s chest. Proper adhesion of the electrode pads is critical to an AED working properly. Water can interfere with the stickiness of the electrode pads’ adhesive, as well as conducting electricity.

S. Joanne Dames - MD, MPH

Updated: 10/05/2019

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