What is the best practice for applying AED pads on a victim with jewelry?

The best practice for applying AED pads on a victim with jewelry is to adjust the pads to fit around the jewelry. This approach ensures that the pads make good contact with the skin while avoiding any unnecessary removal of items that could cause injury or complications.

When using AED pads, it’s crucial that they maintain a proper connection to allow for the effective delivery of a shock. Adjusting the placement of the pads around jewelry, rather than directly on it, helps achieve this goal while still ensuring the functionality of the AED. This method also minimizes the risk of harm to the victim from removing potentially tight or embedded jewelry.

Other methods, such as removing the jewelry or placing pads directly on it, could interfere with the effectiveness of the AED. Additionally, skipping the use of the AED altogether is not advisable, as rapid defibrillation is often critical in increasing the chances of survival for someone experiencing a cardiac event.