What is the primary purpose of using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) during a cardiac arrest?

The primary purpose of using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) during a cardiac arrest is to analyze the heart's rhythm and deliver a shock if necessary. During a cardiac arrest, a person's heart may go into a rhythm that is not effective in pumping blood, such as ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. The AED is designed to detect these dangerous arrhythmias automatically.

Once the AED analyzes the heart rhythm and determines that a shock is warranted, it will instruct the rescuer to deliver a defibrillation shock, which can restore a normal heart rhythm and potentially save the person's life. Timely use of an AED, along with high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), is critical in improving survival rates from cardiac arrest.

Ventilation, monitoring blood pressure, and calming the patient are not the functions of an AED. While CPR may include rescue breaths for ventilation, the AED specifically focuses on analyzing and correcting abnormal heart rhythms through defibrillation.