What to Do When Cardiac Arrest Occurs: CPR and AED Guide

When a person suffers cardiac arrest, the heart stops beating effectively and the individual becomes unresponsive, often with no breathing or only gasping. Immediate action can double or triple the odds of survival. First, dial the emergency services number. Then begin high‑quality chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute, pushing hard and allowing full recoil. If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is nearby, turn it on as soon as possible and follow the spoken prompts. When two rescuers are present, one should continue compressions while the other retrieves the AED and makes the emergency call. Every minute without intervention reduces survival chances by roughly 10 percent.