Patent ID: 7027877

Claim:
A method for applying a defibrillation electrode pad assembly to a patient, comprising removing an electrode pad assembly from a package, the electrode pad assembly comprising first and second electrodes, each of the electrodes sized and configured for external defibrillation, and each of the electrodes having a skin-contacting area of at least 50 centimeters squared; a non-electrode area positioned between the first and second electrodes and mechanically connected to the first and second electrodes; text or other indicia on the electrode pad assembly for helping a user position the electrodes in a desired position on the chest of a patient; an electrical cable extending from the electrode pad assembly for connecting the electrodes to a defibrillator; an adhesive area at each of the first and second electrode, the adhesive area configured to adhere an electrode to the skin of the patient, the adhesive area at the first electrode being separated from the adhesive area at the second electrode by an area without adhesive, and at least one release sheet covering each adhesive area, each release sheet being folded in a substantially U-shaped configuration, each release sheet having a tab sized and configured to be grasped by one hand of the user while the electrode pad assembly is positioned on the chest of the patient, and each release sheet being configured to be removed by the user pulling on the tab in a direction generally away from the non-electrode area, thereby causing the release sheet to peel away from the adhesive area, applying the electrode pad assembly to the patient by positioning the first and second electrodes in the desired position on the chest, holding the assembly in the desired position by applying pressure with one hand generally in the non-electrode area, using another hand to pull on the tab of the release sheet at the first electrode, with the pulling being in a direction generally away from the non-electrode area, to thereby remove the release sheet from the first electrode, repeating the process of holding the assembly in the desired position by applying pressure with one hand generally in the non-electrode area, and using another hand to pull on the tab of the release sheet at the second electrode, with the pulling being in a direction generally away from the non-electrode area, to thereby remove the release sheet from the second electrode.