A defibrillator electrode pad assembly has an adhesive release sheet configured to be removed while the electrode pad is held in a desired position on the patient. The release sheet is folded in a substantially U-shaped configuration and includes a pull-tab to be grasped by the user. The electrode pad is applied to the patient by positioning the electrode pad on the patient's skin with the release sheet facing the skin and in contact with or closely adjacent to the skin, without lifting the electrode pad from the patient's skin, pulling on the pull-tab to remove the release sheet to expose the adhesive portion, and adhering the adhesive portion to the patient's skin.