If a person's heart begins to fibrillate due to an electrical shock, the recommended action is to have a qualified person use a defibrillator.

• A. Call for medical help immediately.
• B. Have a qualified person use a defibrillator.
• C. Move the person to higher ground.
• D. Give them water to drink.

Answer: (B)

When the heart fibrillates after an electrical shock, the immediate goal is to reset the heart’s electrical activity with a defibrillator. A sudden, controlled electrical shock can stop the chaotic rhythm of ventricular fibrillation and allow the heart to reestablish a normal beat. That is why having a qualified person apply the defibrillator is the best action—it ensures the device is used correctly, including proper pad placement, the appropriate energy level, and adherence to safety protocols to protect everyone nearby.

While waiting for the defibrillator or emergency responders, call for help and, if you’re trained, provide CPR if the person isn’t breathing or has no pulse. Other actions like moving the person or giving them water don’t address the heart’s irregular rhythm and aren’t helpful in treating fibrillation.