Defibrillation Contraindications: When Not to Use a Defibrillator

Defibrillation should not be performed on patients in asystole or rigor mortis.

* Asystole: No electrical activity is sensed during defibrillation.

* Rigor mortis: The condition of muscular rigidity in a cadaver due to postmortem biochemical changes in the skeletal muscles; this will not improve with defibrillation attempts.