During CPR, what should you activate after five cycles or two minutes if no help has been called?

Activating the emergency response after five cycles of CPR or two minutes is crucial because it ensures that additional help is on its way while you continue to perform life-saving procedures. This action is rooted in the principle of improving outcomes during a cardiac arrest situation.

When CPR is initiated, time is critical, and calling for emergency assistance maximizes the patient's chance of survival by ensuring that advanced medical care can arrive as soon as possible. Even if help has not been called, it is essential to take proactive steps to secure that additional support, especially if no response has been observed from the victim. Therefore, activating the emergency response allows the rescuer to maintain focus on CPR, knowing that professional help will soon be on the scene.

Continuing without changes would not address the need for medical assistance, while stopping to reassess could result in lost time without necessary intervention for the victim. Checking for responsiveness after five cycles would not be appropriate in this context, as the absence of responsiveness is already established, indicating the need for immediate action.