How the hell do you put AED pads on backwards

beano said:
Nothing like not being told something until you muck it up on a test.

Obviously nobody told your skillz tester either because every AED I know it doesn't matter. We are talking about something used by the general public, who require a warning that the coffee they ordered is hot.
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This lady who tested me was a substitute for someone. The way she acted after I did it made me feel like I did something horribly wrong lol. I didn't think it mattered though, but she did since she "auto failed" me for not using the AED properly. I didn't stop to look at the pictures I just threw them on the dummy like I always did, then she tells me I did something wrong lol.
 
Well they are pretty clearly labelled with where they are supposed to be...

That said I don't think it really makes a difference with biphasic defibrillators? Or at least that was what I was told?
 
There is actually a positive and negative pad. I wouldn't say "it doesn't matter," better to say, "it doesn't matter that much." If you're monitoring a rhythm through the pads, the rhythm will be upside down if the pads are reversed. For an AED, like I said, it doesn't matter much. VT upside down will still be recognized by the machine as VT and VF upside down will still be recognized as VF and shocked.
 
Yeah, I don't see the big deal in putting them on the right way. Like we mentioned, biphasic defibrillators should work pretty much the same either way, but all views will be upside down.

Just make sure you follow the clearly labelled placement instructions next time. This is no different than using an IV catheter that "expired" a few weeks ago. Will it make any difference in patient care, functionality, or outcome? Absolutely not. Will proctors be able to fail you for using out of date equipment? Sure will. Just play the game, put them on the right way, and move on. No harm no foul in failing an NREMT test station. I failed the paramedic static cardiology test station once. No idea how I managed to do that, and I like to think I'm pretty decent at reading EKGs (for a paramedic at least).
 
Attention to detail is important in this job. Does it matter if they're slapped on the wrong spots? I'm not sure, I've always taken the two seconds to look at the pictures on the pads as to their proper locations, so I've never had to worry about it.

As a student, and potentially new EMT, you need to pay attention to every detail. Its going to take time before you can knowledgeably go with the flow, and afford to just do a quick scan and not step-by-step through your skill sheet, but even then not noticing the "little stuff" can lead to some major problems. And especially when it comes to testing, you need to be on top of this stuff.

Testing is black and white. Take the thirty seconds to make sure you're doing it right. It'll show later down the road when you're actually providing patient care.
 
chaz90 said:
Yeah, I don't see the big deal in putting them on the right way. Like we mentioned, biphasic defibrillators should work pretty much the same either way, but all views will be upside down.

Just make sure you follow the clearly labelled placement instructions next time. This is no different than using an IV catheter that "expired" a few weeks ago. Will it make any difference in patient care, functionality, or outcome? Absolutely not. Will proctors be able to fail you for using out of date equipment? Sure will. Just play the game, put them on the right way, and move on. No harm no foul in failing an NREMT test station. I failed the paramedic static cardiology test station once. No idea how I managed to do that, and I like to think I'm pretty decent at reading EKGs (for a paramedic at least).
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It is about striving for best practice though, not just good enough. Want to be taken seriously as a healthcare professional? Do it right.
 
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