# If you find someone on the ground not breathing/or conscious, CPR right away or just rescue breaths? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 25, 2020, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-find-someone-on-the-ground-not-breathing-or-conscious-cpr-right-away-or-just-rescue-breaths/846942 "2020-01-25T05:46:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Yankees\_1996\_Champs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Yankees\_1996\_Champs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yankees_1996_Champs)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2020, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-find-someone-on-the-ground-not-breathing-or-conscious-cpr-right-away-or-just-rescue-breaths/846942/1 "2020-01-25T05:46:51Z")
My cousin says rescue breaths first. Right or no? ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2020, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-find-someone-on-the-ground-not-breathing-or-conscious-cpr-right-away-or-just-rescue-breaths/846942/2 "2020-01-25T05:50:15Z")
Look, listen, and feel first. You cant just assume they are not breathing without really getting in there to check for very shallow breathing. You shouldn’t assume their heart is stopped. You also shouldn’t assume that their airway is open and ready for rescue breaths. Assess then treat. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2020, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-find-someone-on-the-ground-not-breathing-or-conscious-cpr-right-away-or-just-rescue-breaths/846942/3 "2020-01-25T10:31:52Z")
And then, whatever. Drowning victims are still often given breaths first, because it’s easy, and sometimes that’s all that’s needed. But absent drowning, CPR will give you enough air volume without any breaths at all. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2020, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-find-someone-on-the-ground-not-breathing-or-conscious-cpr-right-away-or-just-rescue-breaths/846942/4 "2020-01-25T10:45:55Z")
> [@Melbourne](#): > > And then, whatever. Drowning victims are still often given breaths first, because it’s easy, and sometimes that’s all that’s needed. > > **But absent drowning, CPR will give you enough air volume without any breaths at all.** If you see them go down, chest compressions are enough. If you don’t know how long they’ve been unconscious, chest compressions and rescue breathing. CALL 911 FIRST!!! ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2020, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-find-someone-on-the-ground-not-breathing-or-conscious-cpr-right-away-or-just-rescue-breaths/846942/5 "2020-01-25T12:30:44Z")
Shouldn’t all this depend on whether their heart’s beating? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2020, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-find-someone-on-the-ground-not-breathing-or-conscious-cpr-right-away-or-just-rescue-breaths/846942/6 "2020-01-25T12:38:12Z")
> [@Napier](#): > > Shouldn’t all this depend on whether their heart’s beating? Chest compressions won’t affect a beating heart. If they’re not breathing, oxygen levels in the blood will be depleted. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2020, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-find-someone-on-the-ground-not-breathing-or-conscious-cpr-right-away-or-just-rescue-breaths/846942/7 "2020-01-25T12:40:02Z")
First thing is to call 911 ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2020, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-find-someone-on-the-ground-not-breathing-or-conscious-cpr-right-away-or-just-rescue-breaths/846942/8 "2020-01-25T12:44:05Z")
This thread is full of misinformation. The bystander(s) response depends on various factors, including whether the event is witnessed, whether there are just one or more rescuers, and what other circumstances may be involved (obvious drowning victim, obvious drug overdose). Take an American Heart Association [Basic Life Support](https://cpr.heart.org/en/courses/basic-life-support-course-options) class. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2020, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-find-someone-on-the-ground-not-breathing-or-conscious-cpr-right-away-or-just-rescue-breaths/846942/9 "2020-01-25T12:58:32Z")
> [@DinoR](#): > > Look, listen, and feel first. > > You cant just assume they are not breathing without really getting in there to check for very shallow breathing. You shouldn’t assume their heart is stopped. You also shouldn’t assume that their airway is open and ready for rescue breaths. > > Assess then treat. This. If there is a pulse there is NO reason to go beating their chest, and several good ones to avoid doing so. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2020, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-find-someone-on-the-ground-not-breathing-or-conscious-cpr-right-away-or-just-rescue-breaths/846942/10 "2020-01-25T13:07:38Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > This. If there is a pulse there is NO reason to go beating their chest, and several good ones to avoid doing so. [Frequently Asked Questions about Chest-Compression-Only CPR](https://heart.arizona.edu/heart-health/learn-cpr/frequently-asked-questions-about-chest-compression-only-cpr) > [@](#): > > Can you damage someone’s heart if you perform CPR while it is beating? > > The physicians and scientists at the Sarver Heart Center, have found that the old saying “Never perform CPR on beating heart” is not valid. According to these professionals, the chances that a bystander could harm a person by pressing on their chest are slim to none, even if the heart is working normally. Therefore, they recommend following the “Better safe than sorry” approach and begin chest compressions. It is better to perform a few unnecessary chest compressions for someone with a beating heart, rather than withhold chest compressions and circulation from someone in cardiac arrest. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2020, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-find-someone-on-the-ground-not-breathing-or-conscious-cpr-right-away-or-just-rescue-breaths/846942/11 "2020-01-25T15:52:51Z")
If you are trying to help someone and they get hurt in vast majority of cases you cannot be sued or charged. the laws for that in each state are called Good samaritan laws ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2020, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-find-someone-on-the-ground-not-breathing-or-conscious-cpr-right-away-or-just-rescue-breaths/846942/12 "2020-01-25T22:30:01Z")
> [@Napier](#): > > Shouldn’t all this depend on whether their heart’s beating? See first reply. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2020, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-find-someone-on-the-ground-not-breathing-or-conscious-cpr-right-away-or-just-rescue-breaths/846942/13 "2020-01-25T22:49:56Z")
Rescue breaths first. The whole idea of CPR is to keep moving oxygenated blood through the body. Check for pulse. If there is a pulse, do not initiate CPR. If no pulse, then start CPR and don’t worry about damage to the person, they are already dead. Break a couple of ribs, keep pushing for as long as you can, which will be only a couple of minutes. The whole thing rarely works, but it is usually enough to get the subject to the hospital and let them die there. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2020, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-find-someone-on-the-ground-not-breathing-or-conscious-cpr-right-away-or-just-rescue-breaths/846942/14 "2020-01-25T23:37:22Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > Rescue breaths first. > > The whole idea of CPR is to keep moving oxygenated blood through the body. > > Check for pulse. If there is a pulse, do not initiate CPR. If no pulse, then start CPR and don’t worry about damage to the person, they are already dead. > Break a couple of ribs, keep pushing for as long as you can, which will be only a couple of minutes. > > The whole thing rarely works, but it is usually enough to get the subject to the hospital and let them die there. I agree with most of this except the first sentence. Unless the patient has not been breathing for some time (in which case you’re not going to able to do anything for them anyway), there will already be some oxygen in the lungs/bloodstream. Chest compressions first, then rescue breaths. In UK first aid courses we are taught that the former is more important, so if you can’t bring yourself to do the breaths for whatever reason, it’s still worth doing the compressions. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2020, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-find-someone-on-the-ground-not-breathing-or-conscious-cpr-right-away-or-just-rescue-breaths/846942/15 "2020-01-25T23:52:47Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > If you are trying to help someone and they get hurt in vast majority of cases you cannot be sued or charged. the laws for that in each state are called Good samaritan laws My First Aid training says that for the most part, Good Samaritan protects you if you are trained to perform the acts, and you follow generally accepted practices. I can perform CPR and generally be safe from any lawsuit should I break some ribs while performing chest compression. I am not protected should I try to perform an emergency tracheotomy. Not all states are the same, so you need to make sure what the laws are like in your state. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2020, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-find-someone-on-the-ground-not-breathing-or-conscious-cpr-right-away-or-just-rescue-breaths/846942/16 "2020-01-26T01:41:53Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > Rescue breaths first… Wrong. Please stop advising. mmm ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2020, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-find-someone-on-the-ground-not-breathing-or-conscious-cpr-right-away-or-just-rescue-breaths/846942/17 "2020-01-26T01:48:40Z")
Most recent information I had was that chest compressions apparently did enough “breathing” to sustain life. If there is only one person doing CPR, just do chest compressions. Performing CPR is exaustive. Time and energy are expended switching back and forth from compressions to rescue breathing. The Samaritan will be able to continue a bit longer if doing compressions only, perhaps just the amount of time until EMS can arrive. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2020, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-find-someone-on-the-ground-not-breathing-or-conscious-cpr-right-away-or-just-rescue-breaths/846942/18 "2020-01-26T01:51:54Z")
> [@Dead\_Cat](#): > > I agree with most of this except the first sentence. Unless the patient has not been breathing for some time (in which case you’re not going to able to do anything for them anyway), there will already be some oxygen in the lungs/bloodstream. Chest compressions first, then rescue breaths. In UK first aid courses we are taught that the former is more important, so if you can’t bring yourself to do the breaths for whatever reason, it’s still worth doing the compressions. This. There’s some risk to you to do rescue breaths, and almost none to do chest compressions. And chest compressions alone will move some air in and out of the lungs. Every time i take a CPR class they change the recommendations, some classes they dropped rescue breaths entirely. But first check if it’s safe for you to approach. (Middle of the road?) Then check if they are actually responsive and need help. Are they breathing? Do they have a pulse? If you are alone, then call 911. Then chest compressions. If there’s someone else there, you can direct then to call 911 after you start chest compressions. If you aren’t afraid to put your mouth on theirs, you can break up the chest compressions with a couple of rescue breaths. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2020, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-find-someone-on-the-ground-not-breathing-or-conscious-cpr-right-away-or-just-rescue-breaths/846942/19 "2020-01-26T04:50:20Z")
When encountering an unconscious person where it is unknown what caused them to lose consciousness the current guidelines are for 30 chest compressions prior to giving 2 recuse breaths. If the rescuer is unwilling to give rescue breaths it is acceptable to provide compressions only. A point of emphasis… in evaluating the patient you are checking for \*\*normal \*\*breathing. Breathing that is gasping, gulping, or snorting may be agonal respirations. Patients in cardiac arrest often go through a stage of unconsciousness with agonal respirations. CPR is most effective in assisting these patients.