What action should be taken if a patient is in water when using an AED?

When a patient is in water, it is crucial to remove them from the water before using an AED. This is because water can conduct electricity, posing a risk both to the patient and to the responder if the AED is used while the patient is still wet or immersed in water. Using the AED on a wet patient can potentially cause electrical currents to travel unpredictably, which could lead to harm or ineffective defibrillation. Furthermore, when the patient is removed from the water, it reduces the risk of creating a path for electrical discharge that could affect the rescuers or bystanders. Ensuring that the patient is on a dry surface and that any excess water is cleared away before applying the AED pads significantly increases the safety and effectiveness of the defibrillation process.