High School

Why must a rescuer "clear the victim" prior to pushing the shock button on an AED?

Answer :

Final answer:

In order to ensure the safety of both the victim and the rescuer, a rescuer must clear the victim before pushing the shock button on an AED. Clearing the victim means making sure that no one is in contact with the victim to prevent electric shock from spreading. By doing so, the rescuer minimizes the risk of electric shock and ensures that the AED is only delivering the shock to the victim's heart.

Explanation:

Before pushing the shock button on an AED, a rescuer must "clear the victim" to ensure the safety of both the victim and the rescuer. Clearing the victim means making sure that no one is touching or in contact with the victim or any conductive objects to prevent electric shock from spreading to anyone else.

When a shock is delivered by an AED, it temporarily stops the heart in order to reset its electrical signals and restore a normal rhythm. If someone is touching the victim or is in contact with them when the shock is delivered, they could also receive an electric shock.

By clearing the victim before pushing the shock button, the rescuer minimizes the risk of electric shock and ensures that the AED is only delivering the shock to the victim's heart.