> Even knowing CPR...you feel helpless until they show up. And once they do, ask immediately if they need you. If not...get out of the way.

As a paramedic, the first thing we did on scene if we didn't arrive with the cavalry (our standard dispatch for CPR was 2 BLS units, i.e. 4-8 EMTs, an ALS unit, i.e. 1-2 paramedics) is "Hey, keep going, we'll coach you, while we get set up", because if you're doing solid compressions, great, that means we can do the things you can't (get vascular access, establish an advanced airway, rhythm, etc.)