During a cardiac emergency, what should bystanders explicitly avoid doing?

In a cardiac emergency, bystanders play a crucial role in ensuring the victim receives timely assistance. While it may be tempting to document the situation with their phones, this action can significantly detract from effective emergency response. Taking time to record videos or photos diverts attention away from the immediate needs of the victim, such as administering CPR or calling for help.

In emergencies like these, the priority should always be to provide aid and facilitate rapid intervention. Documenting the scene typically offers no benefit to the victim's health and may even prevent bystanders from acting when every second counts. Consequently, focusing on helping rather than documenting is fundamental to effective response in urgent situations.