In the event of a cardiac arrest, what is the first step you should take?

The first step you should take in the event of a cardiac arrest is to assess for responsiveness. This is crucial because determining whether the person is responsive allows you to judge the severity of the situation. If the person is unresponsive, it confirms the need for immediate action, such as calling emergency services and beginning CPR.

Assessing responsiveness is essential to ensure that you are addressing the right person and not performing unnecessary procedures on someone who may be conscious or may have a different condition. It allows you to gather critical information about the person's state and enables you to act quickly and effectively while also preparing to communicate the situation to emergency responders.

Following this assessment, if the person shows no responsiveness, it is imperative to call for emergency services and commence chest compressions, as these actions can significantly increase the chance of survival.