Section 2: Crisis Management Basic Life Support in Adults - DRSABCD DRSABCD - DEFIBRILLATION A defibrillator is safe to use during COVID-19 CPR alone will not restart the heart Effective CPR plus early defibrillation using an automated external defibrillator (AED) is the only treatment for cardiac arrest They are simple to use, you switch the machine on and listen to the prompts Survival rates are as high as 75% if you can use an AED within 3 minutes Check if your team or local authority has an AED and familiarise yourself with it-you never know when you may have to use it. Do not be afraid-the defibrillator will tell you what to do and will not deliver a shock if not required.