What should an EMR do if a patient is unresponsive and not breathing?

When faced with a situation where a patient is unresponsive and not breathing, the appropriate course of action is to initiate CPR and call for advanced medical help. This response is crucial because the patient is in a state that indicates a potential cardiac arrest, where every second counts.

Starting CPR helps to maintain blood circulation and oxygenation to vital organs, which can significantly improve the chances of survival until further medical assistance arrives. The importance of calling for advanced medical help concurrently cannot be overstated, as professional emergency services may provide advanced interventions that an EMR is not equipped to perform.

In addition to maintaining the patient's chance of survival, initiating CPR can also provide valuable time for emergency responders to arrive with more advanced equipment and medications. Therefore, this course of action represents both immediate and strategic management of a critical situation.