Frontier Airlines First Aid Practice Exam

Checking for breathing before starting CPR is essential because it helps to determine the immediate interventions required for the victim. When assessing the victim for breathing, if there is no breathing or only gasping is observed, it indicates that the victim is in need of immediate assistance, which typically includes both chest compressions and rescue breaths.

This step is crucial as it guides the rescuer on the appropriate CPR technique to employ. If the person is not breathing, the rescuer knows to provide rescue breaths in conjunction with chest compressions to ensure oxygen is being delivered effectively to the victim's lungs and body. This multifaceted approach is necessary because circulating blood without oxygen reduces the chance of survival and can result in serious brain damage.

Other aspects, such as checking the level of consciousness, responsiveness, or if the victim has a pulse, while important in the overall assessment of the victim, are secondary to understanding the immediate need for respiratory support that CPR entails. Recognizing the absence of normal breathing prioritizes the rapid initiation of lifesaving measures tailored to support the victim's breathing and circulation.