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

Continuing CPR until the patient shows signs of life or until emergency services arrive is essential for several reasons. When a person experiences cardiac arrest, their heart stops beating effectively, leading to a lack of blood flow and oxygen to the brain and other vital organs. This situation requires immediate and continuous intervention to increase the chances of survival and minimize brain damage.

Performing CPR maintains blood circulation and oxygen delivery to the body, which is crucial in preventing irreversible damage. If rescuers stop CPR prematurely or check for signs of life too often, this can interrupt the rhythm of care and significantly reduce the patient's chances of survival. The aim is to keep blood flowing until trained personnel can take control of the situation and provide advanced care.

The other choices do not align with current best practices for resuscitation in a cardiac arrest scenario. Stopping CPR to check for signs of life every minute introduces potentially fatal pauses in circulation. Administering medications without proper training and protocols can lead to complications and is typically not within the scope of first responders without medical oversight. Waiting for emergency services without any intervention essentially forfeits the opportunity to sustain life and improve outcomes during a critical moment.