Should I call 911 or start CPR first?

Richard Pass, RN, Registered Nurse & CPR Expert, shares advice on whether one should call 911 first or immediately begin performing CPR in an emergency
Is It Best To Call 911 Or Start CPR First - Expert CPR Advice
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Should I call 911 or start CPR first?

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Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association are very clear on the subject of calling 9-1-1. It is one of the critical links in the chain of survival. There are several things to keep in mind. One of those is, are you alone with the victim? If you are alone with someone under the age of 8 or someone who is pulled out of water, it is necessary to start CPR first, before you call 9-1-1. The recommendation is for you to do that CPR for up to two minutes on this victim before you make that call. This is specifically done to acknowledge that these are revivable victims in many cases. So bringing this victim back is what the goal of CPR is, so we don't want to waste any time. We don't want any delays. If you are alone with that person, start CPR first. If there is a second person, then, of course, one is going to the phone and one is initiating CPR.

Richard Pass, RN, Registered Nurse & CPR Expert, shares advice on whether one should call 911 first or immediately begin performing CPR in an emergency

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Richard Pass, RN

Registered Nurse & CPR Expert

Richard Pass, RN, BS, was born in Los Angeles. He studied nursing in Portland, Oregon and has since practiced nursing for 35 years, including ICU, Emergency, and Cardiology nursing. Richard started his CPR & Family Safety educational company, Save a Little Life, Inc., in 1999. With Save a Little Life, Inc., Richard presents house calls and classes all over the Los Angeles area. He teaches medical-surgical nursing at California State University, and is married with two grown children and one grandchild.

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Transcription: 
Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association are very clear on the subject of calling 9-1-1. It is one of the critical links in the chain of survival. There are several things to keep in mind. One of those is, are you alone with the victim? If you are alone with someone under the age of 8 or someone who is pulled out of water, it is necessary to start CPR first, before you call 9-1-1. The recommendation is for you to do that CPR for up to two minutes on this victim before you make that call. This is specifically done to acknowledge that these are revivable victims in many cases. So bringing this victim back is what the goal of CPR is, so we don't want to waste any time. We don't want any delays. If you are alone with that person, start CPR first. If there is a second person, then, of course, one is going to the phone and one is initiating CPR.