Assessing an unconscious person’s breathing is a time-sensitive action that directly influences the potential for survival in a medical emergency. When a sudden collapse occurs, a quick and accurate evaluation of the person’s respiratory status is one of the first and most important steps a bystander can take. A rapid assessment of life signs is fundamental to providing timely and appropriate aid.
Standard Timeframe for Assessment
The standard duration for checking an unresponsive person for signs of breathing is no less than five seconds and no more than ten seconds. This timeframe balances the need for speed with the necessity of accurate observation. A check shorter than five seconds may fail to capture a very slow breath, while extending the check beyond ten seconds creates a dangerous delay in starting life-saving interventions.
Current emergency response protocols focus on a simple observation technique for the lay rescuer. This method involves looking for chest rise and fall, as well as observing the person’s skin color, which simplifies the assessment. This modern approach replaces the older “Look, Listen, and Feel” method, which is no longer generally recommended for the public. That previous technique was found to be unreliable and often caused unnecessary delays in beginning chest compressions.
Recognizing Normal and Abnormal Breathing
Normal breathing in an unresponsive person is defined as regular, quiet, and effortless, resulting in a consistent rise and fall of the chest. It must be steady and sufficient to sustain life. If a person is breathing normally but remains unresponsive, the immediate emergency is typically not related to cardiac arrest.
The most common sign of abnormal breathing is the presence of agonal gasps, which are not considered normal breathing. Agonal breathing is an involuntary brain reflex that occurs in approximately 40% of sudden cardiac arrest cases. These gasps are often described as noisy, labored, or infrequent, sounding like snorting, gurgling, or a deep, struggling sigh. These sporadic attempts are not effective and do not provide the body with adequate oxygen. Recognizing this abnormal pattern signifies a severe medical emergency, indicating the heart has stopped or is failing to circulate blood effectively, and directly prompts the need for immediate Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Immediate Actions Following Assessment
The action taken immediately after the ten-second assessment period depends entirely on the findings.
If the person is breathing normally, the primary concern shifts to protecting their airway and monitoring their condition. The person should be carefully moved into a recovery position to ensure the tongue does not block the airway and to allow any fluids to drain. Continuous monitoring of the person’s breathing and responsiveness must be maintained until emergency medical services arrive and take over care.
If the person is not breathing at all, or if the only signs of respiration are the abnormal agonal gasps, immediate intervention is required. The first step is to activate the emergency medical system by calling the local emergency number, such as 911, and requesting an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) if one is available nearby. Following the call, the bystander must immediately begin chest compressions. Starting chest compressions quickly, at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute, is paramount to circulating oxygenated blood to the brain and other vital organs until professional help can arrive.