How to Recognize Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Two signs that someone needs CPR:

• Suddenly collapses
• Agonal breathing or not breathing

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What is agnonal breathing?

Occurs when the brain is not getting enough oxygen. Look for:

• Gasping for air
• Irregular breaths
• Occasional breaths
• Barely breathing

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Did they faint or are they in cardiac arrest?

Check for breathing! People who faint still breath normally. If breathing is irregular, start CPR.

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How to check for breathing?

• Look at their chest - it will rise with each breath.
  NO CHEST RISE = NOT BREATHING
• Look at their fingers - if they look blue or ashy, they are not breathing adequately.

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You can make a difference.

Survival rates drop dramatically each minute that passes without CPR. Therefore, it is critical to recognize a cardiac arrest quickly and respond immediately.