What should you do in the case of cardiac arrest in infants and children when you are off duty?

When faced with cardiac arrest in infants and children, the priority is to ensure that emergency medical services (EMS) are activated as quickly as possible while also administering effective CPR. Performing 5 cycles of CPR before calling EMS reflects the understanding that immediate action can significantly impact the outcome for the patient.

In cardiac arrest scenarios, high-quality CPR helps maintain blood flow to vital organs, including the brain and heart, thus improving the chances of survival and recovery. By performing 5 cycles of CPR before calling for help, you are maximizing the time spent providing critical support to the child while simultaneously preparing to transition to more advanced care when EMS arrives.

Calling EMS is also crucial; however, doing so first without beginning CPR could delay the vital support that the child needs immediately. It is essential to take immediate action, and this approach balances promptness in initiating CPR with the urgency of alerting professional responders.