Abstract: There is provided herein a small form factor portable automatic external defibrillator (AED) having a controller, a charging circuit and a discharge circuit to discharge capacitors using a respective pair of electrode pads. The defibrillator may be separable into two portions at a bisection. Each portion may have a respective electrode pad on corresponding upper surfaces thereof for electrical contact with the chest. A circuit completion wire may complete the electric circuit between the two portions. The defibrillator may comprise a peel-off layer covering both adjacent electrodes. The peel-off layer is adhered to the board at peripheral edges thereof. As such, when pressure is applied to the bisection, the board snaps into the two portions and the peel-off layer simultaneously peels from the portions. In this way, the defibrillator may be deployed quickly with a single break apart manoeuver.