When drowning is suspected as the cause of cardiac arrest, what should you do before starting CPR?

When drowning is suspected as the cause of cardiac arrest, delivering two initial ventilations before starting CPR is crucial. This is because individuals who have drowned may not have an adequate airway or may have water in their lungs, making it important to establish oxygenation as soon as possible. The initial ventilations help to provide oxygen to the lungs and can potentially restore circulation or improve oxygenation before chest compressions are initiated.

In cases of drowning, the lack of oxygenated blood reaching vital organs can quickly lead to irreversible damage, so the focus is on providing rescue breaths first. This approach is consistent with the guidelines for handling drowning victims, where immediate rescue breaths can help in cases where the respiratory system is compromised.