Defibrillator Charging

An external defibrillator configured to assist a rescuer in resuscitation of a patient, the external defibrillator comprising:

• a capacitor configured to be charged by an electrical energy storage source and to deliver a defibrillating shock to the patient;
• electrodes configured to measure ECG signals from the patient;
• circuitry for detecting chest compressions applied to the patient corresponding to a CPR interval;
• and
• at least one processor coupled with the capacitor, the electrodes, and the circuitry, the at least one processor programmed to:
• detect the applied chest compressions corresponding to the CPR interval,
• analyze the measured ECG signals during the CPR interval to determine whether the patient is in need of the defibrillating shock,
• if the analysis of the measured ECG signals determines that the patient is in need of the defibrillating shock, perform charging of the capacitor from the electrical energy storage source during the CPR interval for delivery of the defibrillating shock immediately after the CPR interval,
• if the analysis of the measured ECG signals determines that the patient is not in need of the defibrillating shock, provide instructions for the rescuer to continue chest compressions, such that the patient receives uninterrupted chest compressions.