Quick Answer
Call for emergency help immediately after starting CPR if the person is unresponsive, not breathing, or only gasping for air, or if you are experiencing physical strain or exhaustion during CPR.
Recognizing the Need for Emergency Help
When performing CPR, it’s crucial to recognize when the situation requires emergency help. This includes if the person becomes unresponsive to verbal stimuli, shows no signs of breathing or only gasps for air, or has no pulse. In such cases, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. If you are in a public place, try to find someone to call for help while continuing CPR.
Monitoring CPR Progress
Monitor the person’s vital signs, such as breathing and pulse, during CPR. If you are alone with the person, you should continue CPR for 2 minutes before calling for help. If you are with someone else, one person can start CPR while the other calls for emergency help. After 2 minutes of CPR, the person who was calling for help should take over CPR while the first person rests for 30 seconds. This process is repeated until emergency medical personnel arrive.
Signs of Physical Strain During CPR
If you are physically strained or exhausted during CPR, stop the chest compressions and call for emergency help. You can also ask someone else to take over CPR. If no one is available, you can try to find a way to rest for a few minutes before continuing CPR. However, remember that time is of the essence in CPR, and the sooner help arrives, the better the person’s chances of survival.
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