Summary

On planning to assess a collapsed player, ensure you are safe to approach and remember to call for help. Assess the player using the ABC approach, open their airway and assess for breathing and a pulse for 10 seconds. If there is no pulse commence CPR immediately after ensuring emergency aid is en route to you. Continue good quality CPR until help arrives or there is any sign of life. Ensure there are minimal interruptions in the delivery of CPR especially chest compressions, to maintain coronary artery perfusion pressure.

If providing care to a paediatric patient in cardiac arrest, be aware of the need for 5 rescue breaths/ventilations and assessing for further signs of life before commencing chest compressions at a ratio of 15 compressions to 2 breaths/ventilations.

Once available, turn on the AED and follow the instructions to place the pads on the patient’s chest and plug in the connector. The AED will assess the patient’s cardiac arrest rhythm and guide the operator a shock is advised or not advised. It is essential that good quality CPR is maintained throughout and only paused when a shock is indicated. If available and IV/IO access can be gained by a suitably skilled practitioner, cardiac arrest drugs should be administered as described.

The rescue team should try and identify any potential reversible causes and if skilled to do so provide a suitable intervention.

As soon as possible, the patient should be taken to the nearest emergency department, once it is safe to do so.