3.4 B – Rescue Breathing

What Is Rescue Breathing?

Rescue breathing is the act of providing assisted ventilations to an unresponsive adult victim who has a pulse but is not breathing or not breathing normally (e.g., only gasping).

Methods of Rescue Breathing

Rescue breaths can be provided using one of the following techniques:

• A barrier device
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  barrier device

  

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  (e.g., face shield or pocket mask)
• A bag-mask device
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  bag-mask device

  

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  , if trained and available
• Mouth-to-mouth, if no other equipment is accessible

Rescue Breathing Guidelines for Adults

• Deliver 1 breath every 5–6 seconds (approximately 10–12 breaths per minute)
• Each breath should last 1 second and produce visible chest rise
• Avoid excessive ventilation — do not overinflate the lungs
• Recheck the victim’s pulse approximately every 2 minutes

Emergency Response & Naloxone Use

Ensure that the Emergency Response System (ERS) has been activated. If an opioid overdose is suspected, administer naloxone if available and trained to do so. Continue rescue breathing until normal breathing resumes or help arrives.

When to Switch to Full CPR

If the victim loses their pulse at any point, begin full CPR immediately using a 30:2 compression-to-breath ratio. Continue until:

• EMS or an Advanced Life Support (ALS) team arrives
• The victim shows clear signs of life (e.g., normal breathing, purposeful movement, pulse returns)
• Another trained provider takes over
• You are too exhausted to continue safely

Pulse & Breathing Decision Matrix