In what situation should CPR be administered during Tactical Field Care?

Administering CPR during Tactical Field Care is particularly indicated in the case of severe hypothermia after near drowning. In this scenario, a casualty may present with a very low heart rate and be unresponsive, which can lead to confusion about whether or not to initiate CPR. However, if the hypothermia is severe enough, traditional guidelines can be modified, as certain conditions allow for the body to have higher resilience, making prompt resuscitation efforts crucial despite the apparent state of the casualty.

In most other contexts, CPR is initiated upon determining that a casualty is unresponsive and not breathing adequately. However, in the context of severe hypothermia or a near-drowning incident, if there are indications of life, such as a weak pulse, CPR might need to be approached with special considerations regarding the patient's temperature and the potential for returning them back to viability.

In situations where the casualty is conscious, visible injuries can lead to misleading assessments of the need for CPR, and the universal rule of initiating CPR for any unresponsive casualty remains critical, but it is important to acknowledge the unique circumstances under which CPR may be prioritized differently. Therefore, understanding the context, the physiological state of the casualty, and the underlying causes influencing the rescuer's decision-making