When should CPR be initiated on a patient?

CPR should be initiated when a patient is unconscious, unresponsive, and does not breathe normally. This is a critical situation where the airway is likely compromised, and the absence of normal breathing indicates that the heart may not be effectively pumping blood. The primary goal of CPR is to maintain blood flow and oxygenation to vital organs until advanced medical help can arrive.

In this context, normal breathing is characterized by regular, effortless breaths. If the patient is not breathing at all or only gasping, it suggests a life-threatening condition requiring immediate action. In such cases, performing CPR can be vital in preventing irreversible damage to the brain and other organs due to lack of oxygen. It creates artificial circulation, which can help sustain life until further medical intervention provides definitive treatment.

Other scenarios presented—such as the patient breathing normally, being conscious with chest pain, or being responsive but having difficulty breathing—do not warrant the initiation of CPR. Normal breathing suggests the heart is functioning adequately, while conscious patients, even those in distress, typically do not require immediate CPR intervention unless they become unresponsive or stop breathing entirely.