When should a lifeguard initiate CPR?

Initiating CPR is a critical and time-sensitive action that can significantly impact the outcome for a victim experiencing a cardiac arrest. The correct condition for a lifeguard to begin CPR is when the victim is unresponsive and either not breathing or only gasping. This demonstrates a clear lack of adequate circulation and respiratory function, indicating that immediate intervention is necessary to maintain blood flow and oxygenation to vital organs until emergency services can take over.

In cases where a victim is unresponsive, it's crucial for the lifeguard to assess breathing. The presence of gasping can sometimes be mistaken for effective breathing, but it is often inadequate to support life. Therefore, when encountering an unresponsive individual exhibiting such breathing patterns, CPR becomes essential and must be performed without delay.

Other scenarios, such as a conscious victim struggling to breathe, do not warrant immediate CPR but may require other forms of assistance. Waiting for emergency services also does not align with CPR guidelines, as every second counts during a cardiac emergency. Signs of hypoxia alone do not warrant CPR; the individual must be unresponsive and exhibiting insufficient or no breathing to trigger the need for this lifesaving measure.