If you cannot locate the AED quickly, what should you do?

If you cannot locate the AED quickly, what should you do?

• A. Begin CPR immediately and continue until the AED arrives or responders take over
• B. Wait for AED
• C. Stop CPR until AED arrives
• D. Apply barrier device and wait

Answer: (A)

The essential idea is to keep blood flowing to vital organs while you’re locating the AED. If you can’t find it right away, start high-quality CPR immediately and keep going until the AED arrives or trained responders take over. Chest compressions pump blood to the brain and heart, buying time and improving the chances of survival once a shock can be delivered. Waiting for the AED to arrive before starting CPR delays essential circulation and lowers survival chances. Stopping CPR until the AED arrives interrupts perfusion and is not advised. Using a barrier device is important for protection, but delaying CPR to wait or only applying a barrier device without starting compressions does not help the patient in cardiac arrest.

The essential idea is to keep blood flowing to vital organs while you’re locating the AED. If you can’t find it right away, start high-quality CPR immediately and keep going until the AED arrives or trained responders take over. Chest compressions pump blood to the brain and heart, buying time and improving the chances of survival once a shock can be delivered.

Waiting for the AED to arrive before starting CPR delays essential circulation and lowers survival chances. Stopping CPR until the AED arrives interrupts perfusion and is not advised. Using a barrier device is important for protection, but delaying CPR to wait or only applying a barrier device without starting compressions does not help the patient in cardiac arrest.