What should you do if the unconscious victim is not breathing?

When an unconscious victim is not breathing, the immediate and most critical action is to begin CPR. CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is designed to help maintain blood flow to the brain and other vital organs until more advanced medical help can arrive or the person starts breathing on their own. Since the victim is unconscious and not breathing, every minute without blood flow increases the risk of brain damage and can be fatal.

Starting CPR involves performing chest compressions to manually circulate blood and, if trained, can also include rescue breaths to provide oxygen. This intervention can significantly increase the victim's chances of survival.

While calling for help is vital, it should typically be done before initiating CPR if you are alone or can manage both tasks simultaneously. Checking for a pulse is important, but it can take time, and if the victim is not breathing at all, immediate action is required rather than spending precious moments checking for a pulse. Waiting for the victim to regain consciousness is not an option in this life-threatening situation, as it could lead to devastating consequences. Therefore, beginning CPR is the most appropriate and life-saving response.