In a situation with a 9-year-old in cardiac arrest, which action is appropriate for the second provider?

In a situation involving a 9-year-old in cardiac arrest, activating emergency medical services (EMS) or the resuscitation team is a critical first step in ensuring that appropriate care is provided as quickly as possible. This action is essential because immediate professional intervention can significantly improve the child’s chances of survival, especially in cases of cardiac arrest where time is of the essence.

While assisting with CPR is important, the second provider's initial responsibility should focus on summoning advanced medical support. This ensures that additional resources, such as ambulance personnel or specialized medical teams, are on their way to deliver advanced life support. The necessity to activate EMS highlights the importance of having trained professionals who can take over and provide the necessary medical interventions that go beyond basic life support.

Staying with the provider for support, while valuable in some contexts, does not address the immediate need for further medical assistance. Additionally, retrieving family for consent may be important at a later stage but is not the priority during the critical moments of managing a cardiac arrest. Hence, activating EMS is the best and most appropriate action for the second provider in this emergency scenario.