How to Use Rescue Breathing

Rescue breathing is used on an unconscious person who is not breathing, but has a pulse. If you come across an unconscious stranger, it is best to use a pocket mask when performing rescue breathing so you do not catch any contagious disease.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

How to Use Rescue Breathing

1. Check to see if the person is conscious. Shake the person and loudly shout "Are you OK?" If the person does not respond, call 911, then check to see if the person is breathing.

2. Check for breathing for 5 to 10 seconds. Use the "Look, Listen, and Feel" test to see if the person is breathing. Lie the person flat on their back and open their airway by putting two fingers under the chin and the palm of your other hand on their forehead and gently tilting the head back. Look to see if the person's chest is moving. Listen to see if you can hear any breath sounds coming from the person. Place your face close to the person's open mouth and feel with your cheek, any breath movement coming from the person.

3. Begin rescue breathing if the person is not breathing. Re-tilt the head to ensure the airway is open. Take a normal breath and place your mouth over the person's mouth, making a tight seal. Use your hand to gently pinch the person's nose shut. Blow into the person's mouth for one second, watching to make sure their chest moves up with the breath. If the breath does not go in, go to Step 4. If the breath does go in, go to Step 6.

4. Retilt the head and try give a breath again, repeating the same steps to giving a rescue breath as in Step 3.

5. Perform abdominal thrusts if the second breath does not go in. This means the person has an obstructed airway. First, open their mouth and perform a sweep with one finger in a hooked motion going from cheek to cheek inside the mouth. This should get rid of any item lodged in their throat. If that does not clear anything out, straddle the person across the thighs. Place the heel of one hand on the person's abdomen just above the navel. Place the other hand on top of the first, lace the fingers, and give five quick, upward thrusts. Perform a finger sweep again and give two slow breaths. If the breaths do not go in, repeat this step. If the breaths do go in, go on to Step 6.

6. Give the person two breaths, then check for a pulse. If the person is still not breathing on their own, but does have a pulse, continue rescue breathing. You need to give one breath every five seconds, and check for a pulse every minute. If the person does not have a pulse, you will need to begin CPR.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are frequently in highly populated areas where you may be more likely to need to help someone with rescue breathing, you should carry a pocket mask to avoid catching any contagious disease.
• Do not perform CPR unless the person does not have a heartbeat.
• Make sure you are not in any danger by helping the person at the scene. Survey the scene upon arrival and make sure it is safe.

Resources

• American Red Cross
• Lifesaving Resources

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