You have been called to a public pool for an unresponsive patient. On arrival, you find lifeguards performing CPR with a pocket mask and oxygen on a 67-year-old male swimmer. They report that the patient was in the water and was seen clutching his chest seconds before going unresponsive. He was immediately pulled from the water and CPR was initiated. The lifeguards estimate that CPR has been performed for 5 minutes. Assessment shows the man to be unresponsive, apneic, and pulseless. What should be your first response?

According to Unitek EMT, if a device advises you to, you should deliver one shock, then immediately resume CPR, starting with chest compressions, or give chest compressions only, for about two minutes. You can then use the defibrillator to check the person's heart rhythm. If necessary, the defibrillator will give another shock. You should repeat this cycle.  Shock is a clinical syndrome with four stages: initial, compensatory, progressive, and refractory. There are broadly four types of shock: distributive, cardiogenic, hypovolemic, and obstructive.  Here are some types of... Show more

According to Unitek EMT, if a device advises you to, you should deliver one shock, then immediately resume CPR, starting with chest compressions, or give chest compressions only, for about two minutes. You can then use the defibrillator to check the person's heart rhythm. If necessary, the defibrillator will give another shock. You should repeat this cycle. 

Shock is a clinical syndrome with four stages: initial, compensatory, progressive, and refractory. There are broadly four types of shock: distributive, cardiogenic, hypovolemic, and obstructive. 
Here are some types of shock:
Cardiogenic shock: Occurs when the heart has been damaged to the point where it cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's demand for oxygen. A heart attack is the most common cause of cardiogenic shock.
Hypovolemic shock: Occurs when there is a decrease in circulating volume. This can be caused by hemorrhage, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive perspiration, or fever. Signs and symptoms of hypovolemic shock include elevated heart rate, hypotension, tachypnea, acral cyanosis of the extremities, and cold, clammy skin.
Anaphylactic shock: Occurs when there is a loss of vasomotor tone following the massive outpouring of vasoactive mediators resulting from the degranulation of mast cells and basophils.
Septic shock: Occurs when there is impaired tissue perfusion in the context of an inflammatory response. This may be traumatic or surgical, or it may involve local inflammation, infection, severe burns or the presence. 

Show less