If a lone rescuer finds a child in cardiac arrest, how many cycles of CPR should be performed before calling 911?

When a lone rescuer encounters a child in cardiac arrest, the recommended protocol is to perform five cycles of CPR before calling 911. In this context, a cycle of CPR typically consists of 30 compressions followed by two rescue breaths, taking about two minutes to complete.

The reason for performing these five cycles before calling for emergency help lies in maximizing the possibility of successful resuscitation for the child. Cardiac arrest in children is often due to respiratory issues, so initiating CPR quickly can help maintain blood flow and oxygenation to vital organs. After performing these five cycles, the rescuer should then call for emergency assistance to ensure professional help is on the way while continuing with CPR until further assistance arrives. This approach balances the need for immediate action with the need to seek professional help effectively.