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Faten A AlRadini,1 Abdulrahman Y Sabbagh,2 Fahad A Alamri,3 Yasir Almuzaini,4 Yousef M Alsofayan,5 Ahmed A Alahmari,4 Anas A Khan,6 Samar A Amer,7 Reem C Alanazi,8 Ibrahim F Alanazi,8 Ahmed A Shubayli,9 Rola M Alkenani,10 Bandr Mzahim,11 Nisreen Maghraby,12 Abdulaziz M Salamah,13 Muna Aljahany1 1Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2Emergency Medicine, King Fahad Medical City, Second Health Cluster, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 3Global Center of Mass Gatherings Medicine, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Family Medicine Department, Primary Health Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 4Global Center of Mass Gatherings Medicine, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 5General Directorate of Data and Research, Saudi Red Crescent Authority, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 6Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 7Department of Chronic Diseases, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 8Vision College of Medicine, Vision Colleges, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 9Emergency Medicine Department, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 10Department of Nephrology Pharmacy, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 11Emergency Medicine, EMS and Disaster Department, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 12Emergency Medicine Department, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 13Mohammadiah Primary Healthcare, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Muna Aljahany, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh, 11671, Saudi Arabia, Tel +966118238711, Email msaljahany@pnu.edu.saBackground: The likelihood of survival of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest quadruples with the rapid application of basic life support (BLS). The public’s ability to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use automated external defibrillators (AEDs) is extremely important. This study aimed to assess the public knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of utilizing AEDs and to understand barriers to AED application.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study from March 1– 30, 2022. An electronic questionnaire was constructed and validated to measure the KAP for public AED utilization and its barriers.Results: Of the 406 participants, 244 (60.10%) were males. Male respondents had 17% less knowledge and poorer attitude towards using an AED as compared to female respondents. Knowledge and attitudes on using AEDs were low (70.7%) among Saudi nationals compared to those of foreign nationals. Those who were BLS/CPR trained had a 2.5 times greater understanding and willingness to use AEDs in public than those who were not. Barriers to AEDs in CPR/BLS-trained participants were: (1) accidentally hurting the victim (14.3%), (2) duty as a bystander to just call the ambulance and wait for help (12.1%), (3) never taught what to do (n = 41, 18.4%), (4) did not want to be scolded if performed wrong (3.1%), and (5) never witnessed such a situation (51.6%).Conclusion: There is a strong association between knowledge of and willingness to use AEDs in emergency situations among the public. Misconceptions about AEDs hinder their use. This calls for urgent training programs through accessible technology to reach the public.Keywords: automated external defibrillator, AED, public, cardiac arrest