After administering a shock, what should you do before resuming CPR?

The appropriate action after delivering a shock during CPR is to immediately resume chest compressions without checking for breathing. This is because the primary objective of CPR in a cardiac arrest scenario is to maintain blood circulation to vital organs. After administering an electrical shock with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), the heart rhythm may still not be restored, and the person may not be breathing normally.

Resuming compressions as soon as possible helps maintain blood flow to the brain and heart, increasing the chances of survival until advanced medical help arrives. The AED provides guidance, typically indicating when to check for a pulse or to perform further shocks, but that can occur later, during reassessment after a cycle of CPR.

Checking for breathing first or stopping to reassess could delay the resumption of compressions, which can be critical in the moments following a shock. Alerting emergency personnel is also important, but the immediate priority post-shock is to keep the blood flowing, which is why resuming compressions right away is emphasized.