When is it appropriate to administer rescue breaths during CPR?

When is it appropriate to administer rescue breaths during CPR?

• A. Only after resting briefly
• B. Immediately after starting compressions
• C. When it is safe for you to do as well
• D. After checking for a pulse

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that your safety comes first. You should administer rescue breaths only when you can do so without putting yourself at risk or compromising your ability to continue CPR. After you’ve checked the scene and ensured it’s safe, you can proceed with breaths as part of the CPR sequence if you’re trained and able to do so safely (for adults, the common pattern is 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths). If the environment is unsafe or you’re not sure you can perform breaths safely, do not proceed with them until it becomes safe.

The key idea is that your safety comes first. You should administer rescue breaths only when you can do so without putting yourself at risk or compromising your ability to continue CPR. After you’ve checked the scene and ensured it’s safe, you can proceed with breaths as part of the CPR sequence if you’re trained and able to do so safely (for adults, the common pattern is 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths). If the environment is unsafe or you’re not sure you can perform breaths safely, do not proceed with them until it becomes safe.