A 14-year-old girl rescued from a pool has been given high-quality CPR. What is your first priority?

In the scenario of a 14-year-old girl rescued from a pool who has been given high-quality CPR, the first priority is to attach the AED (Automated External Defibrillator). The reason for prioritizing the AED is that the girl is in a critical condition potentially due to cardiac arrest, which may be secondary to drowning.

Using an AED is crucial because it can analyze the heart rhythm and provide defibrillation if necessary. Immediate access to defibrillation can significantly increase the chances of survival in cases of arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia, which can occur following drowning incidents. Quick intervention with an AED can stabilize the heart's rhythm, and the sooner defibrillation is delivered, the better the outcomes tend to be.

When responding to drowning situations, focusing on high-quality CPR and early defibrillation can help mitigate the risks associated with prolonged hypoxia and cardiac arrest. Thus, attaching the AED should be prioritized to maximize the chance for a successful resuscitation.