For children, how should you begin CPR if they are found unresponsive with no pulse?

When a child is found unresponsive without a pulse, initiating CPR with chest compressions is crucial because it helps maintain circulation to vital organs, particularly the brain and heart. Since children might experience cardiac arrest due to respiratory issues, starting with chest compressions ensures that blood continues to flow while you assess the situation further.

Starting CPR with chest compressions also aligns with the recommendations of the American Heart Association, which emphasizes that effective chest compressions are vital in the early phase of cardiac arrest. This approach helps maximize the chances of a favorable outcome by maintaining blood flow until emergency medical services can take over.

Other methods, such as solely providing rescue breaths or checking for breathing, could delay critical life-saving actions. Placing the child on their side might be useful in certain cases, such as when they are breathing or if there is a risk of choking, but it is not the appropriate first step in cardiac arrest situations where immediate chest compressions are necessary.