Unlike specialized defibrillators in hospitals, AEDs require only a short period of instruction to use. The machine itself automatically reads the electrocardiogram and decides whether a shock is needed. Fully-automated models even require only that the rescuer apply a shock patch to the patient before it determines and delivers the shock. Semi-automatic models remind the rescuer to press the shock button. In most cases, the machine will not deliver a shock even if the rescuer pushes the button by mistake. Some models can be used on children (under 25 kg or under 8 years of age), but they must be equipped with child-specific electrode patches. The American College of Cardiology suggests that even if a pediatric patch is not available, an adult patch can be used instead; there is no evidence that adult patches cause more serious damage.
Currently, many areas of the country are trying to deploy AEDs in public ****ing places, but the country's understanding of them and the actual use of them is not high.