Will I Pass Out When My Defibrillator Shocks Me?

— -- Question: Will I pass out when my defibrillator shocks me?

Answer: You won't always pass out when your defibrillator shocks. If you're going into a lethal rhythm, often you may be losing consciousness and then receive a shock. If you've gone into a lethal rhythm such that it causes you to pass out quickly, you will indeed not feel the shock.

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On the other hand, if the device shocks for either an appropriate rhythm that is not causing you to lose consciousness or if it shocks inappropriately for another fast heart rhythm or due to a malfunction of the device, then you'll be awake and you will feel that defibrillator shock.