What is the first priority when dealing with a patient showing signs of cardiac arrest?

In cases of cardiac arrest, the first priority is to start chest compressions immediately. This is critical because effective chest compressions help maintain blood flow to vital organs, particularly the brain and heart, until more advanced medical care can be provided. The brain can only survive for a few minutes without oxygen-rich blood; hence, initiating compressions right away significantly increases the chances of survival.

The role of chest compressions is to mimic the heart's pumping action and circulate blood. Due to the cardiac arrest, the heart is not beating effectively, which is why starting compressions is prioritized over other interventions. While checking for responsiveness and calling for additional medical help are important steps in the overall management of a cardiac arrest situation, they should be performed quickly in conjunction with starting compressions, rather than delaying the vital action of providing manual circulation. Administering oxygen is also crucial in the broader context of resuscitation, but it is not immediately necessary to restore circulation in the initial moments of cardiac arrest. Thus, starting chest compressions is the correct first response.