As a medical professional, my approach to agonal breathing involves recognizing it as a critical sign and responding accordingly. Agonal breathing is a specific type of gasping that occurs when a person is in the process of dying, often associated with cardiac arrest or severe brain damage. It is characterized by irregular, deep, and labored breaths that can be confused with normal breathing by laypersons. **Immediate steps to take for agonal breathing include:** 1. Recognizing the signs: Understand that agonal breathing is not normal breathing and is a sign of severe distress. 2. Calling emergency services: Dial 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately. 3. Starting CPR: If you are trained in CPR, begin chest compressions while waiting for emergency medical services to arrive. 4. Using an AED: If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available, follow the device's instructions for use. It's crucial not to mistake agonal breathing for normal breathing, as this can delay life-saving interventions. read more >>

More than half the patients in cardiac arrest gasp. Gasping has been described as snoring, gurgling, moaning, snorting, agonal or labored breathing. However, bystanders often misinterpret gasping and other unusual vocal sounds as breathing and do not call 9-1-1 or begin lifesaving chest compressions quickly enough.read more >>