What should be done if a casualty is not breathing?

When a casualty is not breathing, the immediate and appropriate response is to begin CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) without delay. This action is crucial because it helps maintain blood flow and oxygenation to vital organs until professional medical help can arrive or the individual begins to breathe again. Starting CPR promptly increases the chances of survival, especially in cases of cardiac arrest or severe medical emergencies where breathing has ceased.

Placing the individual in a sitting position would not support effective airflow or enable you to perform chest compressions as needed in CPR. Waiting for emergency services can lead to critical delays that could decrease the likelihood of a positive outcome. Checking for a pulse for an entire minute is also inappropriate in this scenario; instead, if the person is not breathing and there’s no response, initiating CPR takes precedence to restore circulation and breathing.