In the event of cardiac arrest, what is the first step that should be taken?

In the event of a cardiac arrest, the most critical first step is to call emergency services. This is essential because time is of the essence in a cardiac arrest situation. Activating the emergency response ensures that advanced medical care is on the way as quickly as possible, which significantly increases the chances of survival for the patient.

While assessing the patient's airway, starting CPR, and identifying the cause of arrest are all important components of managing cardiac arrest, they should be performed after ensuring that emergency services have been notified. Initiating CPR is vital, but calling for help first ensures that there is a continuous chain of care for the patient. Timely intervention from trained professionals can provide additional lifesaving measures and advanced care that a bystander may not be able to perform.

Thus, notifying emergency services is a crucial first step that allows for both immediate and subsequent interventions to take place in a timely manner.