ABSTRACT
The majority of in-hospital cardiac arrests are either pulseless electrical activity or asystole, and only a very small percentage survive to discharge. One aspect of on-call medical work is responding to cardiac arrest calls across the hospital. In essence, the majority of cardiac arrest management is very straightforward. This chapter suggest that the UK Resuscitation Council sets out specific guidelines for the management of cardiac arrest under the umbrella term advanced life support, the basic algorithm. It is well worth committing this to memory before starting out as an F1. In essence, the majority of cardiac arrest management is very straightforward. There is no substitute for undertaking an official advanced life support course, but the following tips will hopefully be of benefit when starting out on the wards. As an F1 medical students' role will usually involve chest compressions or establishing IV access.
