What immediate action should be taken when a patient is unresponsive and not breathing?

When a patient is unresponsive and not breathing, the immediate action of calling for emergency help and starting CPR is critical. This response is vital because time is of the essence in cardiorespiratory emergencies. The lack of responsiveness and absence of breathing indicate that the patient is likely in cardiac arrest or experiencing a life-threatening situation where circulation and respiration have ceased.

Initiating CPR immediately helps to maintain blood flow to vital organs, especially the brain and heart, which can sustain life long enough for emergency services to arrive. CPR compressions help to artificially circulate blood and can significantly increase the chances of survival when performed promptly. This immediate action addresses both the unresponsiveness and failure to breathe, while waiting or administering oxygen do not provide the necessary life-saving intervention that CPR offers in this critical moment.