What is the primary reason for stopping CPR before applying the AED?

The primary reason for stopping CPR before applying the AED is to verify pulselessness and apnea. When using an AED, it is essential to assess the patient’s condition to confirm that they are indeed in cardiac arrest, which involves being unresponsive and not breathing. This allows responders to properly assess the situation before delivering a shock, which is critical because the AED is designed to treat specific cardiac rhythms that lead to sudden cardiac arrest. If the patient shows signs of life or has a pulse, administering a shock could be dangerous and unnecessary.

In the context of this situation, it is crucial to pause CPR only for a brief moment to assess the patient's status. This is not meant to provide a recovery period. Instead, the goal is to ensure that the responder can determine the patient's need for defibrillation.