Which of the following actions is crucial to perform within the first minute of a cardiac arrest response?

Beginning chest compressions is crucial to perform within the first minute of a cardiac arrest response because high-quality chest compressions are essential for maintaining blood flow to vital organs. The primary goal during a cardiac arrest is to restore circulation and prevent irreversible damage to the brain and other organs.

When a person experiences cardiac arrest, the heart ceases to pump blood effectively, leading to a rapid decline in the oxygen supply to tissues. Initiating chest compressions as soon as possible helps to artificially circulate blood, supplying oxygen to the vital organs until advanced medical help can take over. The importance of starting compressions promptly cannot be overstated; studies show that the likelihood of survival decreases by 7-10% with every minute that passes without effective circulation.

While checking for responsiveness is a vital step in assessing the situation, it does not provide any immediate benefit in terms of restoring circulation. Administering medications or waiting for emergency services to arrive would delay critical interventions that are necessary to improve the chances of survival during cardiac arrest. Thus, initiating chest compressions immediately is the most effective action one can take in those first crucial moments.