What is the purpose of an AED?

The purpose of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is to quickly analyze the heart's rhythm and deliver a shock if necessary. In cases of sudden cardiac arrest, the heart may be in a state of ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia, which means it is not effectively pumping blood. The AED detects these abnormal rhythms and determines if a shock is warranted. If so, it delivers an electric shock that can restore a normal rhythm to the heart, potentially saving the victim's life by allowing the heart to resume its normal function.

Other options such as providing comfort, monitoring vital signs continuously, or supplying oxygen do not align with the primary function of an AED. While those actions are important in patient care, they fall outside the specific role of an AED, which is solely focused on identifying and correcting life-threatening heart arrhythmias.