Should you perform CPR on a casualty experiencing cardiac arrest?

Answer 1

Cardiac arrest is the only event in which CPR is appropriate. Chest compressions should never be done on a patient with a beating heart. The exception to that is treatment for choking, but that's a bit more advanced. Rescue breathing is appropriate for several medical and trauma problems, but CPR is only done during cardiac arrest. One thing to remember about cardiac arrest is that once someone is in cardiac arrest, they are DEAD. Nothing that a rescuer can do can make that person more dead. Also, in 2010, the standards are changing to what's called CCR (Cerebral Cardio Resuscitation), which is compression only CPR. No rescue breathing at all. If the heart isn't beating, the oxygen does no good. The debate has long been about whether stopping compressions for breaths, even though the cessation is brief, is bad for the perfusion pressure in the organs. They have determined that it is better to not have even brief cessations in chest compressions.

Answer 2

If they meet the criteria of no signs of life, then yes you would immediately start CPR. If the person experiencing cardiac arrest is breathing and has a pulse, then other measures are necessary.

Answer 3

Once you confirm that there are no signs of life, you immediately start CPR (after you have called 911 or the local emergency number).

Answer 4

Cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest.