09/03/2026
WE TEACH THE “WHY,” NOT JUST THE STEPS
As an EMS Instructor/Coordinator, American Heart Association Instructor, and AHA Training Faculty member, I have learned that many people know where to place AED pads but not what the AED actually does.
At Minuteman EMS Tutoring & CPR Training Center, students learn that an AED analyzes the heart’s electrical rhythm and shocks only certain life threatening rhythms (ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia). The shock does not “jump-start” a flatlined heart; it may allow an organized rhythm to return.
Using a simple ECG/EKG drawing, we provide this clearly identified supplemental lesson beyond the required AHA BLS content. Our students understand why they must activate 911, begin high quality CPR, apply the AED quickly, clear during analysis and shock, and immediately resume CPR.
We don’t simply teach people what to do we help them understand why they are doing it.