In which condition should CPR be administered?

CPR should be administered in situations where a person shows no signs of life, which includes both no pulse and no breathing. This condition indicates a critical emergency requiring immediate intervention. The primary purpose of CPR is to restore blood circulation and improve the chances of survival by maintaining oxygen delivery to vital organs until advanced medical help arrives.

When a person has a pulse, even if they are not breathing, additional considerations might be appropriate, such as providing rescue breaths without compressions or simply monitoring their condition while awaiting help. Similarly, if a person is breathing but does not have a pulse, the situation may call for other specific emergency interventions rather than CPR.

In cases where a person is responsive, CPR is unnecessary because responsiveness indicates that they are likely stable, at least in some capacity. Therefore, administering CPR is only appropriate when both pulse and breathing are absent, underscoring the critical nature of identifying these signs accurately. This knowledge is essential for effective and timely medical response in life-threatening situations.