Question: I was having a debate with another paramedic about the proper order of procedure in the following situation: You are en-route to the hospital, in the back of the ambulance alone with your patient, and they go VSA. You check for pulse and respirations and confirm VSA, update your partner, and ask them to pull over and help. While they are pulling over and moving to the back of the ambulance should you: a) begin chest compressions; or b) immediately apply defib pads and analyze?

 This answer is based upon the assumption that this is the first arrest and not a re-arrest.

The priority here is defibrillation, and as such, the immediate action should be to apply defib pads and analyze ASAP like in any EMS witnessed cardiac arrest.

Cardiac/Circulation,Medical Cardiac Arrest

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