What should an EMD prioritize when dealing with calls for a possible cardiac arrest?

When responding to a call for a possible cardiac arrest, it is crucial for an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) to prioritize CPR instructions and ensure rapid transport to a medical facility. This is because cardiac arrest demands immediate intervention to improve the chances of survival.

The provision of CPR guidance is essential as it helps the caller take immediate action, maintaining blood flow to vital organs until professional help arrives. Rapid transport of the patient to a hospital is also a critical factor, as advanced medical interventions must be administered as quickly as possible. Delays in starting CPR or getting the patient to a medical facility can lead to irreversible damage to the heart and brain due to lack of oxygen.

Focusing on the patient's medical history or instructing the caller to check for breathing only could waste precious time that could otherwise be used to initiate life-saving measures. Similarly, while gathering information about the caller’s location is important for dispatching assistance, it should not take precedence over directing immediate life-saving actions like CPR. That’s why prioritizing CPR instructions and ensuring a rapid response is the most effective approach in this scenario.