Defibrillators deliver electric shocks to the heart to restore a normal heart rhythm. They include defibrillator paddles and ECG monitoring. The paddles are placed on the patient's chest with conducting gel to ensure good contact. Defibrillation continues until the patient's condition stabilizes or the procedure is discontinued. Automated external defibrillators are now advocated for public access as they are smaller, easier to use, and prevent shocks from being delivered if the heart is not fibrillating. Risks include skin burns from the paddles and injury to the heart muscle.