Rescue breathing provides oxygen to a person who cannot breathe. This may happen when a person chokes, experiences a heart attack or becomes seriously ill. Rescue breathing can be performed on its own or as part of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR. The Mayo Clinic suggests, however, that if you do not currently have certification, skip rescue breathing and perform compression-only CPR. Look into certification through the Red Cross, American Heart Association or another certifying organization.
Initial Breaths
Whenever you are faced with an emergency situation, remember to take steps to ensure your own safety and to ensure you provide the correct care to the victim. When you come across a victim who appears to be unconscious, always check the scene to make sure it's safe. You wouldn't want to run into a burning building or in front of a car. Tap and shake the victim to see if he or she responds. Ask loudly, "Are you OK?" If the victim does not respond, immediately instruct someone else to call 911. You would now check the "ABC's," or airway, breathing and circulation, to determine the next step. Kneel next to the victim and place one hand on the forehead and the other on the chin, tipping the head backward to open the airway. Place your ear near the victim's nose and mouth while looking at the victim's chest. Look, listen and feel for breathing for up to 10 seconds. If the victim does not appear to be breathing, you will provide two initial breaths. If you have a breathing apparatus, place it over the victim's nose and mouth. If not, squeeze the victim's nose shut and place your mouth over the victim's mouth. Breath into the victim's mouth, watching for the chest to rise. Allow the chest to fall and repeat the breath again. If the breaths go in, place two or three fingers in the small of the victim's neck to check for circulation. Do this for no longer than 10 seconds. Scan the victim's body to look for severe bleeding.
Rescue Breathing Without Compressions
In some circumstances, particularly with young children, there may be cause to provide rescue breathing alone, without providing corresponding chest compressions. Unless you are a trained professional rescuer, such as a lifeguard, emergency medical technician, doctor or nurse, do not perform rescue breathing by itself on adults; almost invariably, adults need chest compressions.
To perform rescue breathing on a child or infant who has a pulse but is not breathing, open the airway with one hand on the forehead and the other on the chin, and perform a single rescue breath every three seconds. Recheck for circulation by placing two or three fingers in the small of the victims neck every minute.
Rescue Breathing as a Part of CPR
In most circumstances, perform rescue breathing as a part of CPR. After performing your initial check of the scene and the victim, you can start chest compressions. Place your hands in the center of the victim's chest, one on top of the other, your shoulders directly above your hands. Press down on the victim's chest 1 to 2 inches, using your body, not your arms to create the movement. Perform 30 compressions at a rate of 100 compressions per minute. Follow the 30 compressions with two rescue breaths, then return to performing compressions. Do not stop performing CPR until advanced care arrives on the scene.
