In what scenario is CPR most necessary?

CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is critically necessary in scenarios where a patient is unconscious and not breathing. This situation indicates that the heart may have stopped beating effectively, which prevents oxygenated blood from reaching vital organs, particularly the brain. Immediate CPR can help restore circulation and ventilation, keeping the brain and other organs supplied with oxygen until professional help arrives.

In contrast, when a patient is breathing normally, responsive and alert, or showing no symptoms of distress, their cardiovascular and respiratory systems are functioning effectively, negating the immediate need for CPR. The primary purpose of CPR is to manually support these functions when both breathing and heartbeat have stopped or are severely compromised.