What should be done if a victim's breathing is irregular or gasping?

In situations where a victim's breathing is irregular or characterized by gasping, initiating CPR immediately is the appropriate action. Irregular and gasping breaths indicate a potential life-threatening emergency, often signifying that the person may not be getting adequate oxygen.

Starting CPR is crucial because it helps maintain blood circulation and oxygen delivery to vital organs, especially the brain and heart, until professional medical help arrives. CPR involves a combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths, which can help revive the victim if they have stopped breathing effectively or their heart has stopped.

Monitoring the victim closely may seem like a reasonable response, but it lacks the immediate intervention that CPR provides. Calling for an ambulance is important, but it should be combined with immediate action to restore breathing or circulation. Providing rescue breaths alone is insufficient without continuous chest compressions, as effective CPR requires both components to maximize the chances of survival.