When checking circulation in basic life support, what should you confirm about the victim?

To assess circulation during basic life support, confirming that the heart is beating is crucial because it indicates that blood is being effectively pumped throughout the body. This is vital for sustaining life, as adequate circulation ensures that oxygen-rich blood reaches vital organs and tissues.

When performing basic life support, primarily focusing on the heart's function helps establish whether the victim requires immediate intervention, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or defibrillation, in cases of cardiac arrest. This assessment is foundational to determining the nature of further care needed to revive the victim.

While consciousness, normal breathing, and body temperature provide valuable information about a person's overall health and status, they do not directly address the critical requirement of establishing effective circulation, which is a primary focus during emergencies. Thus, confirming the heartbeat is the most relevant and immediate action in the context of basic life support.