Lifeguarding Practice Test – Complete Exam Preparation

The most appropriate action for the assisting responder to take first is to begin giving ventilations to the victim. When someone arrives to assist with a CPR situation, their immediate involvement is crucial for providing effective and timely care. CPR consists of two main components: chest compressions and ventilations.

When a second responder joins, they can support the first responder by taking over the ventilations, allowing for a more efficient and effective resuscitation effort. This not only maintains the flow of oxygen to the victim but also enables the first rescuer to focus on performing high-quality chest compressions without interruption.

Other actions, while important, should follow after initiating ventilations. Checking if EMS has been called or requesting changes in position could potentially delay critical life-saving measures. Allowing time for victim reassessment or stopping CPR could be detrimental as it interrupts the flow of care that is vital in cardiac arrest situations where every second counts.