Defibrillator Charging

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

• an energy storage element configured to store energy for delivery of a defibrillating shock to the patient;
• electrodes configured to acquire electrocardiogram (ECG) signals from the patient during a CPR interval and deliver the defibrillating shock to the patient;
• and
• at least one processor coupled to the energy storage element and the electrodes, the at least one processor programmed to:
• analyze the acquired ECG signals during the CPR interval to determine whether the patient exhibits a shockable rhythm,
• in response to a determination of the presence of a shockable rhythm during the CPR interval, charge the energy storage element before the end of the CPR interval such that the energy storage element reaches a charged state before the end of the CPR interval in order to deliver the defibrillating shock to the patient after the CPR interval, and
• in response to a determination of the absence of a shockable rhythm, prompt the rescuer to provide chest compressions.