Final answer:
The first step after ensuring safety and donning gloves when using an AED is to call for help, which must be done before applying pads or administering a shock. AEDs are designed for public use and provide essential assistance during cardiac emergencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
When using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), the first step after ensuring the scene is safe and donning gloves is to call for help, which means the correct answer to the question is a) Call for help. It is crucial to ensure that professional medical assistance is on the way while you proceed with the AED. After calling for help, you should then check the person for responsiveness and breathing.
Only if the person is unresponsive and not breathing should you continue with the following steps: turn on the AED, apply the pads to the person's bare chest as indicated on the package, and allow the AED to analyze the heart rhythm. If the device advises a shock, make sure no one is touching the person and then administer the shock. If CPR is needed, provide it until the AED reanalyzes or emergency personnel arrive.
It is important to note that AEDs are designed to be user-friendly and accessible in many public places to assist during cardiac emergencies. They provide verbal instructions and automatically evaluate the patient's condition to deliver an appropriate shock.