Before shocking, clear the scene by:
- Stating "Clear" or "Everybody clear!"
- Observing that no one is touching the victim or clothing
These actions ensure that the area is safe and that no one will be harmed during the shock. Checking for a pulse and giving breaths to the patient are important steps in the overall emergency response but are typically done before deciding to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) and delivering a shock.