Final answer:
In suspected cardiac arrest, ensure safety, check responsiveness, call emergency services, begin CPR with chest compressions at the correct rate and depth, and continue until an AED or medical help is available.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you suspect that a person is in cardiac arrest, the correct actions should be taken in this order:
Ensure the scene is safe for both you and the patient.
Check for responsiveness by gently shaking and shouting at the person. In the case of a drowning victim, remove them from the water to a stable ground before proceeding.
Call for emergency medical help or ask a bystander to call.
Begin CPR if the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, by placing the flat portion of one hand on the sternum between the lines at T4 and T9, and applying pressure to compress the chest at least 5 cm deep at a rate of 100 compressions per minute.
Continue CPR until an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available and ready to use, or until professional medical help arrives.
It's important to apply chest compressions correctly to effectively maintain blood flow, particularly to the brain, to prevent irreversible damage or death of neurons that can occur within minutes of loss of blood flow. If an AED is available, follow the device's instructions for use after CPR has been initiated.