What is the recommended shock energy setting for a manual defibrillator?

The recommended shock energy setting for a manual defibrillator is typically 150 Joules. This energy level strikes a balance between being sufficient to achieve successful defibrillation while minimizing the risk of damage to the heart tissue. Using a lower energy setting, such as 100 Joules, may not be effective enough to restore a normal rhythm, while higher settings like 200 or 250 Joules might increase the risk of complications without a significant benefit in the likelihood of successful defibrillation. Thus, 150 Joules is considered an optimal starting point for most adult patients in need of defibrillation for conditions like ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia.