Add an AED to your pre-flight checklist

In a cardiac emergency, the first few minutes are everything. On private aircraft and charters, there may not always be an AED on board, and on commercial flights, the one they have isn't always easy to reach. 

Having your own AED changes that, whether you're at the controls or in seat 24B.

Is an AED the right carry-on for you?

An aviation AED might be exactly what you're looking for if any of these sound familiar:

• You're a private pilot or fly small aircraft without onboard medical equipment
• You fly frequently and spend a lot of time in transit, airports, and remote airstrips
• You or someone you regularly travel with has a known cardiac risk factor
• You want to be the person on the plane who can actually step in to help if needed
• You're a charter operator who wants to be prepared beyond regulatory minimums

If any of those landed, welcome aboard.

Aviation AEDs that get the all clear

When you're choosing an AED for aviation, you need one that's approved for use on aircraft, won't slow you down at security, and works for everyone on board. If you fly with kids, pediatric capability is worth adding to that checklist. Here are the ones we think will work best:

AEDs are easy to use

If you've never used an AED before, good news: neither has almost everyone who's ever used one. These devices are made for intuitive use in exactly that high-stress moment. 

A few ways they do that: 

• It starts talking when you turn it on. Clear voice prompts take you through every step, so there's no training or prior experience needed.
• It decides whether a shock is needed. The device reads heart rhythm automatically and only acts if it has to: no risk of shocking someone who doesn't need it.
• The pads show you exactly where to place them. Built-in diagrams make placement really easy.
• Some models guide your compressions too. Coaching and a built-in metronome help you maintain the right pace throughout.

You've got this. The AED's got the rest. 

Smoother than your last connection

During a cardiac emergency, most of the work is done by the AED. Here's your part: 

1. Recognize when to act. If someone collapses, stops responding, or their breathing seems off, grab the AED while someone else calls for help or alerts the flight crew.
2. Turn it on. Most devices power up as soon as you open the case or hit one button.
3. Check who needs help. If it's a child, switch to pediatric mode: most models have a key (sold separately), pad switch, or dedicated setting that adjusts everything automatically.
4. Follow the prompts. The AED walks you through pad placement, CPR timing, and when to stand clear. Some models coach your compression depth and rhythm too.
5. Let it work. The device reads heart rhythm and decides if a shock is needed. Your job is to follow along — nothing more.

That's it. Successfully operating the overhead bin might be harder.

Pack these too

Once your AED is ready for takeoff, these accessories help keep it that way.

Now boarding

Whether you're a private pilot, a road warrior who lives at the airport, or just someone who wants to be ready wherever the trip goes, adding an AED to your packing list is easy.