What should be performed for any patient in cardiac arrest?

High-quality uninterrupted CPR is essential for any patient in cardiac arrest because it serves to maintain blood circulation and oxygen delivery to vital organs until advanced interventions can be initiated. When the heart stops, the body’s tissues and organs quickly begin to suffer from the lack of oxygen. High-quality CPR helps to prolong the chances of survival by artificially maintaining circulation and preventing irreversible damage to the brain and other critical organs.

It is vital that CPR is performed effectively—compressions should be deep and fast, with minimal interruptions to maximize the blood flow generated manually during the cardiac arrest. This practice is widely supported by guidelines from organizations such as the American Heart Association, which emphasize that high-quality CPR is the foundation of effective resuscitation efforts.

While other options such as immediate defibrillation can be lifesaving if the cardiac arrest is due to certain rhythms, and rapid transportation to a hospital is critical in managing post-resuscitation care, these actions should complement high-quality CPR rather than replace it. Basic first aid, although important in a broader context of emergency response, does not specifically address the critical needs of a patient in cardiac arrest like high-quality CPR does.