For a witnessed collapse of a child or infant, what is the recommended action?

In the event of a witnessed collapse of a child or infant, the appropriate action is to call for emergency help first, and then provide care. The rationale behind this approach is based on the understanding of the urgency associated with cardiac arrest in children and infants, even though it is less common than in adults.

When a child or infant collapses suddenly in front of you, there is a critical need for immediate intervention. By calling for help right away, you ensure that advanced medical assistance is on the way while you begin life-saving measures. This is particularly important for conditions like cardiac arrest, where every minute counts for survival and minimizing potential brain damage.

After calling for emergency services, you can then focus on providing essential care, such as performing CPR or using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) if available, which can significantly improve the chances of survival. This combination of calling for help and simultaneously starting care is key to effective response in emergencies involving children and infants.