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Why do we say Casualty Not Breathing/Not Breathing Normally???... (What is Agonal Breathing)

Agonal respiration, gasping respiration or agonal breathing is an abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by gasping, sporadic, laboured breathing.

Agonal breathing is an extremely serious indication that immediate medical attention is required, as the condition generally progresses to complete cessation of breathing and death.

The duration of agonal respiration can be as brief as two breaths or last up to several hours.

 (In laymans terms agonal breathing is the last breaths before death)

Agonal respirations are also commonly seen in cardiac arrest where agonal respirations may persist for several minutes after the heart has stopped.

If your casualty is exhibiting agonal breathing you should start/continue CPR