What is the appropriate action to take once you have confirmed a victim is not breathing?

Starting CPR immediately is the essential action to take once you have confirmed that a victim is not breathing. When a person is not breathing, their body is not receiving the oxygen it needs to function, which can lead to irreversible damage within just a few minutes. Immediate CPR helps maintain blood circulation and keeps oxygen flowing to the brain and vital organs, which can significantly increase the victim's chances of survival.

In situations of cardiac arrest or respiratory failure, performing CPR provides an artificial means of breathing and can help keep the heart pumping until professional medical help arrives. The urgency of the situation necessitates prompt action; hence, the decision to start CPR right away is critical to improving the victim's outcome.

While checking for a pulse and calling for emergency assistance are also important steps in the overall response to a medical emergency, they should follow the immediate action of starting CPR when a person is confirmed to be unresponsive and not breathing. Administering oxygen may come later in the emergency response once professional responders are on-site.