Should CPR be initiated for a casualty with blast or penetrating trauma who shows no signs of life?

In situations involving blast or penetrating trauma, the decision to initiate CPR must take into account the mechanism of injury and the likelihood of survivability. When a casualty shows no signs of life, particularly in the context of severe traumatic injury, the chances of a successful resuscitation are extremely low.

Given the nature of traumatic injuries, particularly those that involve significant blood loss or irreversible damage to vital organs, initiating CPR may not be appropriate. Such injuries often lead to rapid deterioration of physiological function that is not reversible through standard resuscitation efforts. Furthermore, CPR may pose additional risk to both the patient and the provider in a combat environment, distracting from critical interventions that could be more effective, such as controlling bleeding or addressing airway issues.

Thus, it is generally advised that once a casualty is determined to be without signs of life following a severe traumatic incident, CPR should not be attempted, focusing instead on other life-saving measures suited to their specific injuries.