What should rescuers do while waiting for emergency services to arrive?

Continuing CPR until a defibrillator is available is crucial in a life-threatening scenario, particularly in cases of cardiac arrest. High-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is vital for maintaining blood flow to the brain and other vital organs when the heart has stopped pumping effectively. During this critical period, every second counts, as the likelihood of survival decreases significantly with each passing minute without effective circulation.

Using a defibrillator, when available, can restore a normal heart rhythm and significantly increase the chance of survival. However, if the defibrillator is not immediately accessible, maintaining effective CPR can sustain vital organ functions until emergency medical services arrive or the defibrillator is ready to be used.

Other actions, such as leaving the scene to find assistance, could delay critical care for the patient. Continually assessing the patient's condition is important but should occur while concurrently performing CPR, as the priority remains on providing continuous support. Allowing the patient to rest and recover is not appropriate in a cardiac arrest situation, since immediate action is required to manage the emergency effectively.