CPR Chest Compressions: When and How to Start

Chest compressions should be started immediately when a victim is unresponsive and not breathing normally, and should be continued until:

-An automated external defibrillator (AED) is available and ready to use

-Emergency medical services (EMS) arrive and take over care

-The victim starts breathing normally

-The rescuer is too exhausted to continue

The goal is to provide continuous chest compressions during the "golden period," which is the first 5 minutes of cardiac arrest, when the chances of survival are highest. Prompt initiation of CPR can significantly increase the chances of successful resuscitation and minimize brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation.