What should a responder do while another operates the AED?

The correct course of action while another responder operates the AED is to continue performing CPR. This is critical because high-quality CPR helps maintain blood flow to the heart and brain until the AED is ready to analyze the heart rhythm and deliver a shock if necessary. During a cardiac arrest, every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival significantly, so maintaining consistent chest compressions is vital.

While monitoring the surroundings, preparing for emergency services, or providing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation are all important aspects of emergency response, they do not take precedence over the need for continuous CPR during this vital moment when the AED is being prepared. Thus, the priority remains on providing compressions to support the affected individual while the AED is brought into action.