What is the correct placement for AED pads in the anterior/lateral position?

In the anterior/lateral position, the placement of AED pads is crucial for effective defibrillation. The correct placement is with one pad located on the upper right chest and the other pad on the lower left chest. This configuration allows the electrical shock delivered by the AED to flow through the heart in a manner that is most likely to restore a normal rhythm.

When the pads are positioned in this manner, they create a proper electrical pathway across the heart, enhancing the likelihood of successful defibrillation. The upper right pad is placed just below the collarbone, while the lower left pad is placed on the left side of the chest, a few inches above the lower rib area. This positioning facilitates the best contact with the heart while avoiding interference from other structures in the chest.

Other placements, such as those in the wrong choices, do not align the pads adequately to create the necessary electrical pathway required for successful defibrillation. For instance, placing pads on the abdomen does not target the heart effectively, and using the back in conjunction with the chest does not provide the pathway for the current needed for defibrillation.