Can You Use an AED on Someone with Nipple Piercings?

It might sound like a strange question — but it’s one of the most common and searched-for topics when it comes to defibrillators (AEDs).

If you’ve ever done a first aid course in Australia, chances are someone asked it. And if you’re reading this now, you might be wondering the same thing.

Let’s clear it up. In a real emergency, where every second counts, knowing exactly what to do — and what doesn’t matter — can be the difference between saving a life and doing nothing at all.

Will AED burn my nipple if I have a piercing?

Yes, You Absolutely Can Use an AED on Someone With Nipple Piercings

The short, direct answer is yes. You can — and absolutely should — use an AED on someone with body piercings, including nipple piercings.

Correct CPR training will teach you where to place pads on the chest to ensure that interferance with nipple piercings and interal cardiac devices do not impede a life saving shock.

The right pad goes high on the right shoulder, and the left pad goes below the left nipple, down on the ribcage.

Pads do not go over nipples!

Jewellery, peircings and interanal pacemakers will not stop the AED from working.

In fact, modern defibrillators are designed to be foolproof, safe, and smart.

According to the Australian Resuscitation Council, bystanders should never delay using an AED.

The risk of hesitation is far greater than any small adjustment you might need to make for piercings.

What’s the Right Way to Use an AED When There’s a Piercing?

AED pads do not go over nipples any way, and AED pads should not be placed directly over metal.

But you don’t need to remove a piercing.

Just adjust the pad placement slightly so it’s not sitting right on top of any jewellery.

Aim for full skin contact next to the piercing.

As HealthDirect Australia notes, the AED will still read the heart rhythm and deliver a shock if required.

The device will not allow a shock to be given unless it’s necessary.

Can you use an aed with nipple piercings

So you're not going to do harm by using it — but you might by waiting.

If the pad does touch a piercing, the only real risk is a superficial skin burn around the jewellery — and even then, the AED will still work.

This is confirmed by various studies including those referenced by the NIH (National Institutes of Health).

Understanding How AEDs Work (It’s Simpler Than You Think)

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) work by analysing the heart’s rhythm to detect abnormal electrical activity.

If the heart is in a shockable rhythm — like ventricular fibrillation — the AED delivers a controlled electrical shock to reset it.

This process is called defibrillation.

The devices used today, like the HeartSine range available at Assurance First Aid Kits, use smart sensors and built-in voice prompts to guide the rescuer.

You don’t have to “know” what to do — the device tells you what to do, step-by-step.

They’re safe to use on adults and children over one year of age.

They assess.

They won’t shock if a shock isn’t required.

They’re safe around piercings, tattoos, pacemakers, and implants — with minor adjustments.

How to place AED pads on a chest for CPR

Why AED Access Matters More Than Ever in Australia

According to Ambulance Victoria, around 80% of cardiac arrests happen outside hospital. Most of them — shockingly — happen at home. That means you, not a paramedic, are the first responder.

Every minute without defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by 10%.

After 10 minutes, survival rates are near zero. But if an AED is used within the first few minutes, survival can be over 70%.

That’s why defibs are now common in offices, schools, community halls, gyms, and even surf clubs.

What To Do: Step-by-Step AED Use (Even with Piercings)

Call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Start CPR if you’re trained to do so.
Send someone to get the AED or retrieve it yourself if alone and nearby.
Turn on the AED — it will start giving you verbal instructions.
Expose the chest and apply pads: one high on the right side of the chest, the other low on the left ribs. If a piercing is in the way, shift the pad slightly.
Let the AED analyse. Do not touch the person.
If instructed, press the shock button. Then continue CPR until help arrives or the person wakes up.

Common Myths About AEDs (Busted)

Myth: “You can’t use an AED near jewellery.”
Truth: You can — just avoid direct pad contact.
Myth: “AEDs are for trained professionals.”
Truth: Anyone can use one. That’s the whole point.
Myth: “AEDs can accidentally shock.”
Truth: AEDs only shock if the heart needs it. You can’t shock someone by mistake.

Why We Recommend HeartSine AEDs

There are dozens of AED brands on the market, but not all are equal.

HeartSine defibrillators — used by professionals across Australia — are compact, intuitive, waterproof, and meet all Australian compliance standards.

They're built for high-pressure situations: loud environments, panicked users, and untrained responders. If you need to trust a device to work without fuss — this is the one.

Browse the full HeartSine range now.