37.36. What are your primary actions when providing first aid to an adult in the event of sudden cardiac arrest and absence of breathing?
UAЯкі ваші першочергові дії при наданні домедичної допомоги дорослому в разі раптової зупинки кровообігу та відсутності дихання?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine does not concern maneuvering or road signs, but rather a critically important topic of road safety: the actions of the driver and witnesses in an emergency situation where a victim's life is at risk. In practice, such a situation can occur after a traffic accident or a sudden deterioration in a person's condition on the road, and the correct algorithm for providing pre-medical assistance directly affects the chances of survival until medical professionals arrive.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding the driver's duties in the event of an accident and the concept of "pre-medical assistance" (specifically paragraphs 1.10 and 2.10 of the Traffic Rules). The logic of the rules is simple: it is necessary to organize professional help via 103 as quickly as possible and simultaneously perform available urgent actions at the scene. In the context of the theoretical exam, it is important to understand the priorities: calling emergency medical services with clear answers to the dispatcher and following their instructions, after which (and without delay) starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation if there is no breathing or signs of circulation.
The analysis of the options in this ticket shows typical mistakes. The idea of "first performing CPR and then calling" is dangerous because it wastes time that could be used to organize the arrival of the medical team, while the dispatcher can immediately guide actions and suggest the algorithm. The option of placing the person in a stable lateral position is also not suitable for a state without breathing: it is mainly used when a person is unconscious but breathing, to prevent tongue obstruction and aspiration. Therefore, the correct tactic within the framework of the traffic rules and pre-medical assistance is to ensure the emergency medical service is called and immediately perform resuscitation measures as instructed by the dispatcher until medics arrive or signs of life appear.
Clause 1.10 (the term "First aid")
First aid — urgent actions performed at the scene by persons without medical education, aimed at saving and preserving the life and health of the victim until the arrival of medical professionals.
Clause 2.10 (driver’s duties in case of involvement in a road traffic accident — first aid and calling an ambulance)
In case of involvement in a road traffic accident, the driver is obliged to take all possible measures to provide first aid to the victims and call emergency (ambulance) medical assistance.
This clause of the Traffic Rules establishes the principle of priority: first, organize the call for EMS (and follow the instructions), and in parallel — perform available first aid measures until the arrival of medical personnel (including resuscitation measures if there are signs of sudden cardiac arrest and absence of breathing).
Clause 2.10 (driver’s duties in case of involvement in a road traffic accident — transporting the victim)
If it is impossible to call emergency (ambulance) medical assistance, the driver is obliged to send the victim to the nearest healthcare facility by passing transport, and if such is unavailable — to transport them in their own vehicle.
This complements the logic of "not wasting time" and ensuring the fastest possible access of the victim to medical care.
That is, the correct answer is "Call emergency (ambulance) medical assistance and follow the dispatcher’s instructions, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation," given that, according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, first aid consists of urgent actions before the arrival of medical personnel, and the Traffic Rules impose the duty to call EMS and take possible measures to provide first aid to the victims.
When an adult suddenly loses signs of circulation and is not breathing, the situation is immediately life-threatening. For a driver, this is a typical example where hesitation or "looking for a better solution" costs time that does not exist: the brain quickly suffers irreversible damage without oxygen. Therefore, the initial actions must be simple and sequential.
First of all, it is necessary to ensure that emergency (ambulance) medical assistance is called by dialing 103. If you are not alone, assign the call to a specific person, and proceed to provide help yourself. If you are alone, it is advisable to turn on the speakerphone and place the phone nearby so you can perform further actions in parallel with the conversation.
During the call, the dispatcher will ask clarifying questions (address, age, what happened, whether there is consciousness and breathing). This is not a "formality": based on these answers, the urgency and composition of the team are determined, and they can also immediately give clear instructions on what to do before the medics arrive. Your task is to answer briefly and to the point, and to follow the dispatcher’s prompts.
Since the condition directly states that breathing is absent and circulation has stopped, the next step is to immediately begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation. CPR is what actually maintains minimal circulation until the medics arrive and gives a chance to restore vital functions. It is performed without interruption for as long as possible, until the ambulance arrives or signs of life appear.
Therefore, the correct answer is: "Call emergency (ambulance) medical assistance and follow the dispatcher’s instructions, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation," because in the event of circulatory arrest and absence of breathing, it is essential to simultaneously ensure professional help via 103 and immediately support vital functions with CPR according to the dispatcher’s instructions.