If you are alone and find a child in cardiac arrest, what should you do first if you did not witness the collapse?

The appropriate first step when you encounter a child in cardiac arrest, especially when you did not witness the collapse, is to provide 2 minutes of CPR before calling for help. This approach is based on the understanding that in children, the most common cause of cardiac arrest is respiratory failure or shock, and high-quality CPR is paramount to maintaining blood flow to vital organs during this critical period.

Administering CPR for the first 2 minutes allows you to initiate life-saving measures that can help stabilize the child until additional help arrives. It emphasizes the importance of providing immediate care rather than delaying action to call for emergency services. After you have provided 2 minutes of effective CPR, it is then appropriate to call for emergency help.

This method ensures that the child receives essential oxygenation and circulation, optimizing the chances of survival and recovery. Prompt CPR can significantly increase the likelihood of a favorable outcome, which is why it is emphasized as the first action in this scenario.