Conceptual
Browse Instruct Curate

Agonal Breathing Recognition

Agonal breathing is the irregular, gasping, snoring, or gurgling breaths that can occur in the first minutes of cardiac arrest, and it is one of the most commonly missed signs because bystanders mistake it for real breathing. Agonal gasps are infrequent, effortful, and do not move air effectively — they are a sign the heart has stopped, not that the person is okay. An unresponsive person with agonal breathing needs CPR now. When in doubt whether breathing is normal, treat it as not normal: call emergency services and begin CPR.