Site Map | Important Notices | Contact Us | Français

Ask the Experts - Occasional breathing

Sometimes a patient in cardiac arrest takes an occasional breath. Do I continue to perform CPR?

Yes! What you are seeing is what doctors call "agonal respirations." These reflex gasping breaths are not adequate to provide enough oxygen to the person. Don't be confused. They are not a sign of circulation. Perform CPR.

-- Michael Whitehead, Instructor/Instructor-Trainer, Canadian Red Cross, Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, St. John Ambulance


ACT's Corporate Health Partners As part of our commitment to improving the health and quality of life of Canadians, AstraZeneca is proud to support ACT's commitment to saving lives through the delivery of CPR training to high schools across the country. Pfizer Canada is a proud supporter of the ACT Foundation's mission to promote health and empower Canadians to save lives. The more people know how to react during the first crucial moments, the greater the chance of survival. Sanofi Canada recognizes the value to society of the ACT Foundation's initiatives and fully supports the foundation's goal to see mandatory CPR training in Canadian high schools.
©2012 ACT Foundation