In drowning victims, why are rescue breaths considered critically important compared to standard CPR starting point?
Answer
The primary problem is lack of air, not always cardiac arrest.
For victims of submersion incidents, the immediate and primary life threat is asphyxia—the absence of oxygen caused by the airway obstruction or water aspiration. Therefore, the immediate delivery of oxygen via rescue breaths takes precedence or must occur simultaneously with compressions, as dictated by current protocols emphasizing early ventilation. While chest compressions are vital for circulation, in many drowning scenarios, the heart has not yet fully arrested; the fundamental problem is respiratory failure. Restoring oxygenation quickly prevents irreversible brain damage, which can occur within mere minutes of oxygen deprivation.
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