What should you do immediately after calling for emergency help during a cardiac arrest?

Starting CPR immediately after calling for emergency help during a cardiac arrest is crucial because it drastically increases the chances of survival for the victim. Cardiac arrest leads to a lack of blood flow to vital organs, and without immediate intervention, brain damage can occur within minutes.

By beginning CPR, you are manually circulating blood to provide oxygen to the brain and other vital organs until emergency medical personnel arrive. This is critical, as every moment counts in increasing the likelihood of a positive outcome. Continuous chest compressions also help maintain blood flow and can keep the heart in a more favorable position for defibrillation, should it be necessary.

While monitoring the victim's breathing, notifying bystanders, or turning the victim onto their side might be relevant in different scenarios, they do not provide the immediate life-saving measure that CPR does. The priority in this situation is to maintain circulation as quickly as possible, making the initiation of CPR the most vital action.