How to Provide Rescue Breathing for an Adult During First Aid

Many types of injury can cause breathing to stop, depriving the brain of precious oxygen. Rescue breathing - also known as "mouth to mouth resuscitation" - can save a life.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Breathing Masks
• Wilderness First Aid Classes
• First Aid Kits
• Latex Gloves
• First Aid Classes
• Notebooks
• Pens

Initial Assessment

1. Determine whether the surrounding scene is safe. (See "How to Maximize the Safety of an Emergency Scene During First Aid.")

2. 

   Determine whether the injured person is breathing. (See "How to Check Airway, Breathing and Circulation.")

3. Position the injured person on his or her back, being extremely careful not to move or twist the head, neck or spine. If several rescuers are present, use their assistance to minimize this danger. (For a related technique, see "How to Logroll an Injured Person During First Aid.") If not, continue with the steps below.

4. 

   Maintain an open airway while you pinch the injured person's nose shut.

5. 

   Give two long, slow breaths, being sure to maintain a seal between your mouth and his or hers.

Rescue Breathing

1. Check again for breathing and pulse (see "How to Check Airway, Breathing and Circulation").

2. Give one slow breath every five seconds for 12 breaths, if the person is still not breathing but has a pulse.

3. Repeat the steps in this section until help arrives, until the injured person begins breathing again, or until you are too exhausted to continue.

Tips & Warnings

• Use latex gloves and a breathing mask to prevent infection or transmission of disease.

• If breaths do not go in, retilt the head and try again. If breaths still do not go in, the airway may be obstructed (see "How to Clear an Obstructed Airway").

• If you suspect a spinal injury (see "How to Rule out a Spinal Cord Injury During First Aid"), do not tilt the chin to open the airway. Instead, with one hand on each side of the head, and facing the injured person's toes, put your index and third fingers in front of the earlobes and push the jaw forward and up.

• If this method doesn't open the airway, revert to the chin-tilt method: The injured person's most drastic need is for oxygen.

• If the person has a severe injury to the mouth, give breaths through the nose while keeping the injured person's mouth sealed shut.

• If the injured person vomits, turn the person onto his or her side - extremely carefully if you suspect a spinal injury - and wipe out the mouth. Return the person to the supine position and continue rescue breathing.

• If symptoms persist or if you have specific medical conditions or concerns, we recommend you contact a physician. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.