For Adults/Adolescents, you should call/activate EMS:
Before providing CPR.
After providing CPR.
After an AED has been administered.
Or, none of the above.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is: Before providing CPR.
Explanation:
When an adult or adolescent experiences a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), the immediate response is critical to improving survival chances. Activation of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system is a priority because it ensures that trained professionals are on their way to the scene, providing advanced care such as defibrillation, medication, and transport to the hospital.
- Before providing CPR:
- The first step when encountering a person who is unresponsive and not breathing is to call for help, or activate EMS. This is because EMS responders are trained to provide advanced life support and their arrival can significantly impact the outcome.
- In an emergency situation, you should ensure the safety of the environment, check for responsiveness, and confirm that the person is not breathing. While you wait for help to arrive, providing immediate bystander CPR can increase the person’s chances of survival by circulating oxygenated blood to vital organs like the brain and heart.
- After providing CPR:
- If you have already started CPR, it is still crucial to activate EMS as soon as possible, especially if no one has done so yet. While CPR can keep the heart and brain supplied with oxygen, only EMS can provide advanced interventions, including defibrillation with an AED (Automated External Defibrillator).
- After an AED has been administered:
- AEDs are designed to deliver a shock if necessary, but they can also guide you through the process of delivering CPR and re-checking the person’s condition. The role of EMS is still vital here to ensure proper follow-up care and transport to the hospital.
In summary, activating EMS before providing CPR allows for a timely, coordinated response that combines immediate care with advanced medical interventions, enhancing the chances of survival for the person in cardiac arrest.