Should chest compressions be performed while the AED is charging?

Should chest compressions be performed while the AED is charging?

• A. Yes
• B. Only after charging completes
• C. No
• D. Only if the AED is not charging

Answer: (A)

The important idea is to minimize interruptions in chest compressions to keep blood flowing to the heart and brain. While the AED is charging, no shock is being delivered yet, so you should continue performing CPR. This maintains perfusion until the shock is ready to be delivered. When the device is ready to shock, you pause briefly to ensure no one is touching the patient (stand clear), deliver the shock, then immediately resume chest compressions after the shock. Waiting for charging to finish before starting compressions would create an unnecessary pause and reduce blood flow.

The important idea is to minimize interruptions in chest compressions to keep blood flowing to the heart and brain. While the AED is charging, no shock is being delivered yet, so you should continue performing CPR. This maintains perfusion until the shock is ready to be delivered. When the device is ready to shock, you pause briefly to ensure no one is touching the patient (stand clear), deliver the shock, then immediately resume chest compressions after the shock. Waiting for charging to finish before starting compressions would create an unnecessary pause and reduce blood flow.