Cardiac arrest is when the heart stops pumping oxygen-rich blood around the body due to an electrical problem in the heart.
A person is often unconscious and breathing abnormally or not breathing at all until a normal heart rhythm can be restored.
Signs and symptoms
- No normal vital signs (signs of life)
- Not breathing normally
- Unconscious
Management
Primary assessment (follow DRSABCD):
- send for help, additional resources (AED) and request an ambulance
- provide CPR
- apply an AED and follow its prompts if the person is unconscious and not breathing normally.