What is the recommended approach to preparing the chest for AED pad placement?

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Bare skin on the chest is required for AED pad placement. When you expose the chest by removing clothing, the pads can make solid, direct contact with the skin, which is essential for effective conduction and a clear pad electrical signal. Fabric, moisture, or hair under the pads can create resistance, cause poor adhesion, or even burns if a pad heats unevenly. In fast, real-life use, you should remove or cut away clothing quickly to expose the chest area so the pads can be applied exactly where needed. Keeping clothing on to protect modesty would hinder proper pad contact and could compromise the defibrillation attempt. Exposing the abdomen or the back would place pads in the wrong locations for standard chest-first pad placement, reducing effectiveness. After the pads are in place and the shock is delivered or prepared, you can cover the person to restore modesty as soon as feasible.