Final answer:
An AED is used in cardiac emergencies to apply a life-saving electrical shock to a person's heart. It can correct abnormal heart rhythms such as ventricular fibrillation, and is commonly found in ambulances and public places. CPR is advised before AED use.
Step-by-step explanation:
An automated external defibrillator (AED) should indeed be used on a non-breathing victim who collapses suddenly. In the event of cardiac emergencies, such as when a person suffers from ventricular fibrillation—a condition where the heart beats in an irregular and rapid rhythm—an AED can be life-saving. Defibrillators deliver a large electrical charge to the heart to disrupt the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to re-establish a normal rhythm.
It is now common for ambulances to carry AEDs, and they are also installed in various public places to be readily accessible during emergencies. These devices are built to provide verbal instructions and can automatically diagnose the heart's condition, applying the necessary shock with the appropriate energy and waveform. Even though AEDs are designed for use by the general public, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is typically recommended before AED use to improve the odds of survival and recovery.