A fisherman fell through the ice and was submerged in a lake for approximately 4 minutes before being pulled out by friends. You find the man to be unresponsive, not breathing, and without a pulse. Which one of the following should you do immediately?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The priority in this situation is to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately. The fisherman's lack of breathing and pulse indicate cardiac arrest and time is critical in resuscitation efforts. While determining the patient's core temperature may be important later in the treatment process, the immediate focus should be on providing basic life support measures such as airway management and chest compressions through CPR. The application of an automated external defibrillator (AED) may also be necessary in resuscitation efforts, but the primary step is to start CPR. Immobilizing the patient may not be a necessary step at this point, as the focus is on providing immediate life-saving interventions.

A Fisherman Fell Through the Ice and Was Submerged in a Lake