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AED Use on Farms

An automated external defibrillator, or AED, is a portable device designed for use by trained and untrained bystanders during a sudden cardiac emergency. Whether one makes sense on your farm is a local decision worth discussing with experts.

What is an AED and why does it matter on a farm?

An AED is a portable electronic device that checks a person's heart rhythm and, if appropriate, can deliver a shock. Modern devices give spoken instructions and are built for people without medical training. In a cardiac emergency, early use of an AED together with a call to 911 can help until responders arrive.

Farms are often far from ambulance stations, and workers can be alone or spread out. That distance is one reason some farms, co-ops, fairgrounds and agritourism sites choose to keep an AED nearby.

Public places such as schools and airports often have them, but farms are private property, so any device is something you decide to buy, place and maintain yourself.

What should happen first in a cardiac emergency?

Call 911 and give the exact address. The dispatcher can send help and may give instructions while you wait. If someone else is with you, have them bring the AED if one is on site. Do not delay the call to look for equipment.

This guide does not describe how to give CPR or use an AED step by step. Those skills are best learned in a hands-on class from a recognized provider, such as the American Red Cross or American Heart Association, and the device itself gives prompts.

Should your farm get an AED?

It is a decision to make with advice from local experts. Consider how far you are from emergency services, how many people work or visit, how many are older or have known heart conditions, and whether you have a central place where the device can be kept and reached quickly.

Your local emergency medical service, your doctor or an occupational health provider may be able to advise. Some states have rules about AED ownership, maintenance and training, and they differ by state. Check with your state health department or emergency medical services office.

• Distance from ambulance service.
• Number of workers and visitors.
• A reachable, visible location.
• Someone responsible for checks.

Where should an AED be kept, and how is it maintained?

Place it where people can reach it quickly and where everyone knows to look, not locked away. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for temperature range and storage. Barns and vehicles can swing from very cold to very hot, so a climate-protected spot may be needed.

AEDs need regular checks. Batteries and pads have expiration dates, and most units run self-tests and show a status indicator. Assign one person to check the status light and expiration dates on a schedule and to replace supplies when needed. The manufacturer's manual and your local provider are the authority on upkeep.

• Visible, marked location.
• Storage within the manufacturer's range.
• Routine checks of status and expiry.
• One named person responsible.

What training do people need?

Many devices can be used by people without training, but a class helps people feel ready to act. CPR and AED courses are widely offered, and many combine them. Encourage family members and regular workers to take one, and ask whether a visiting instructor can teach a group at your farm or co-op.

Remind people that if an AED is not available, the call to 911 is still the first step.

Some people worry about using one incorrectly. Devices are designed with safeguards, and training helps people feel confident. Ask your instructor any questions you have about how your particular model works.

What should you do after an AED has been used?

Responders will usually take over care. Ask them what to do about the device afterward, since pads and sometimes batteries need replacing and the unit may need servicing. Contact the manufacturer or your local provider for guidance.

Check on the people who were present. Emergencies like this can be upsetting. In the US, people can call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline if they are struggling.

Keep the manufacturer's manual and contact information with the device so that anyone checking it can find answers quickly.

Who can help you decide?

Talk with your local fire and rescue service, EMS agency, extension office and your insurer. They can explain local requirements, point to training and help you think about placement.

Co-ops, agritourism sites and fairgrounds that host the public may have different obligations than a family farm. Ask local experts and your insurer what applies to you.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.