What additional step should be taken during CPR for drowning victims?

When performing CPR on drowning victims, the critical addition to the standard CPR procedure is to provide 5 initial rescue breaths before beginning chest compressions. Drowning victims often experience asphyxia due to water entering the lungs, which leads to a lack of oxygen. The initial rescue breaths help to rapidly reinflate the lungs and provide oxygen to the victim’s bloodstream before circulation is restored with chest compressions.

This approach is specific to drowning cases because the cause of the cardiac arrest is primarily respiratory in nature, unlike other cardiac arrest scenarios where compressions might be the first priority. By prioritizing rescue breaths, you are addressing the oxygen deprivation immediately, which increases the likelihood of a successful resuscitation.

This strategy emphasizes the importance of oxygenation in drowning victims, which is unique compared to other types of cardiac arrests. Thus, providing those initial rescue breaths is essential in effectively responding to drowning emergencies.