CPR - Cardiac arrest
 
The term "cardiac arrest" describes any sudden stoppage of the heart. There are many reasons for an arrest, including heart attack, severe blood loss, suffocation, electric shock, anaphylactic shock, drug overdose and hypothermia. Cardiac arrest is characterised by the absence of pulse (or other life signs) and breathing.

You must commence CPR (see The ABCs of CPR) immediately and, in a first responder call situation, deploy the AED as soon as possible because, without oxygen supplied by the blood, the heart muscle and brain cells will deteriorate rapidly.

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