What is the primary focus of a dispatcher during a cardiac arrest situation?

In a cardiac arrest situation, the primary focus of a dispatcher is to ensure quick transfer to a Protocol Advanced Instruction (PAI). This is crucial because cardiac arrest requires immediate and effective intervention to increase the chances of survival. The dispatcher plays a vital role in guiding the caller through the necessary steps for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation as soon as possible. This involves directing the caller to perform chest compressions, providing instructions on using an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is available, and ensuring that emergency medical services (EMS) are dispatched quickly.

The urgency of the situation means that attending to essential life-saving measures has precedence over secondary concerns such as assessing the caller's emotional state, providing information about local hospitals, or obtaining detailed medical history. Each of these other factors, while important in a broader context of patient care, does not take precedence in the immediate and critical moments of a cardiac arrest emergency. The dispatcher’s primary responsibility is to facilitate prompt action that can save lives.