When should an EMD provide CPR instructions to a caller?

Providing CPR instructions to a caller is appropriate when the patient is unresponsive and not breathing. This scenario indicates a life-threatening situation where immediate action is essential to increase the chances of survival. The purpose of CPR is to maintain blood flow to the heart and brain until professional medical help arrives. If the patient is unresponsive and not breathing, it is critical to initiate CPR immediately, as every second counts in restoring circulation and preventing irreversible damage.

In contrast, if the patient is conscious and in pain, or responsive but breathing normally, the situation does not warrant immediate CPR, as the individual is not in a state of cardiac arrest and may require other forms of medical assistance. The caller's uncertainty about the situation does not directly imply a need for CPR; it is necessary to assess the symptoms accurately before determining the need for such critical intervention.