A multi-mode electronic medical device for providing resuscitative therapy. The device comprising a housing having a front side positioned to be visible to a user of the device during use, and a user-selectable input to allow the user to select between a basic life support mode and an advanced life support mode. The device further comprising a display on the front of the device housing configured to display a first set of text and/or graphics in the basic life support mode and to display a second set of text and/or graphics, which are more complete than the first set of text and/or graphics, when the device is switched to the advanced life support mode via the user-selectable input. Additionally, the device comprising circuitry configured to control the display based on whether the medical device is operating in the basic life support mode or the advanced life support mode.