Which signs indicate that CPR should be initiated?

Initiating CPR is critical when a patient is not breathing effectively or at all. The presence of no breathing or only gasping indicates that the individual is in a state of respiratory distress, which can quickly lead to cardiac arrest if not addressed. In such scenarios, immediate CPR is necessary to provide artificial ventilation and circulation, helping to restore oxygen delivery to vital organs.

Normal breathing would indicate that CPR is not needed. Furthermore, an unresponsive individual with a normal pulse does not require CPR, as they still have circulation; monitoring is appropriate in this case. A strong pulse with distress suggests that the individual is still circulating blood, albeit in a compromised state, which does not warrant the initiation of CPR. Thus, the critical sign for beginning CPR is the absence of effective breathing.