Rescue Breathing
Respiratory complications are the common precursors of cardiac arrest. It is, therefore, crucial to detect problems in respiration in order to take action against cardiac arrest.
When a patient of any age has a pulse but is not breathing (or is not breathing comfortably and normally), quickly open the airway using the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver and start releasing breaths. See Table2 for details about rescue breathing.
| Age Group | How Often | Breaths per Minute | Duration | Evaluation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | Every 6 seconds | 10 to 12 breaths per minute | Each breath should last one second | Check for chest rise and breathing; Check pulse and begin CPR if necessary |
| Child/Infant | One rescuer: Every 6 seconds Two rescuers: Every 2-3 seconds | One rescuer: 10 to 12 breaths per minute Two rescuers: 20 to 30 breaths per minute |
Table 2