Guidance: Standard sign for AEDs

Both Resuscitation Council UK and the British Heart Foundation are committed to saving lives through ensuring more people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest from increased public education and awareness.

Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) – where members of the lay public deliver defibrillation to a cardiac arrest victim before the arrival of the emergency services – can lead to substantially improved survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

In 2006, the Resuscitation Council UK BLS/AED Subcommittee designed a standard sign to indicate the presence of an automated external defibrillator (AED) to increase the opportunities for PAD. This design fulfilled the requirements of the European Union as far as colour, shape, and content are concerned, and was accepted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) announced in 2008 that it had approved a universal AED sign, similar to, but not the same as, the UK version.

In 2014 it was recognised that improved AED signage might encourage more people to use the AED. In July 2015, a survey of 1,895 adults was conducted and found that fewer than half recognised and understood the 2006 sign. A draft new design was produced, and in December 2015 another public survey was conducted to gather further feedback.

2,115 responses were received during this survey. These survey results contributed to the re-designed and improved signage shown below. The resulting sign has been accepted by the HSE and approved by the RCUK Executive Committee. It aims to ensure more people understand what they are used for and are encouraged to use them.

The new AED location sign makes the following changes to the current one:

It changes the lightning bolt icon into a stylised ECG heart trace – respondents overwhelmingly said they would be more likely to use a sign with this icon.

The description is changed to "Defibrillator – Heart Restarter" – respondents said they thought this term would most encourage them to use the device.

A supine person was added, showing the suggested placement of the defibrillator pads, to reinforce (by way of a strong visual cue) how the device should be used.

The supporting information poster was reviewed by experts and is consistent with the 2015 Resuscitation Council UK guidelines. It reinforces the following key messages about PAD and the use of an AED:

Anyone can use an AED – you do not need prior medical or first-aid training.

It is easy to use – just follow its instructions.

It is for use on an unconscious person not breathing normally.

Download and print the updated signage

Sign - (pdf) | (jpg)