What is the appropriate action if an unresponsive person shows no signs of breathing?

Initiating CPR immediately is crucial when an unresponsive person shows no signs of breathing. This response is based on the understanding that without effective breathing, the body is not receiving the necessary oxygen, which can lead to brain damage or death within minutes. CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, helps maintain blood circulation and oxygenation of vital organs until professional medical help arrives.

When a person is unresponsive and not breathing, the priority is to act quickly to restore oxygen flow. Bystanders are trained to recognize that starting CPR right away significantly improves the chances of survival for the person in distress. In this emergency situation, there should be no delay in beginning chest compressions which are a fundamental part of CPR.

Other options, while they may seem plausible, do not provide the urgency needed in a life-threatening scenario. For example, waiting for emergency services to arrive does not assist the victim in the critical moments when immediate intervention is necessary. Checking for a pulse before acting could waste precious time, particularly if breathing has already stopped. Similarly, administering rescue breaths alone without compressions would be ineffective in generating blood flow, which is essential for delivering oxygen to vital organs. Therefore, immediate CPR is the most appropriate and effective response when faced with this situation