Under what condition may CPR be initiated for a casualty with no signs of life during Tactical Field Care?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may be initiated for a casualty with severe hypothermia after a near-drowning because of the unique considerations involved in managing patients with hypothermia. When the body temperature drops significantly, metabolic processes slow down, and the heart may be able to survive in a state of diminished function for an extended period of time. This condition can sometimes simulate clinical death.

In cases of severe hypothermia, particularly following a near-drowning incident, it is essential to remember that standard resuscitation protocols may not apply in the same manner as they would for a casualty at normal body temperatures. If there is complete absence of life signs, the initiation of CPR is warranted due to the potential for successful resuscitation once the body is warmed, even in situations where no signs of life are evident.

This underscores the principle that, in the context of tactical care, clinicians must use broader clinical judgment, weighing the specific circumstances and physiology of the casualty to make informed resuscitation decisions.