Table of Contents
- What Is Mouth-to-Mouth Breathing in CPR?
- The Effectiveness of Mouth-to-Mouth Breathing
- When Do We Give Mouth-to-Mouth Breaths in CPR?
- In What Other Situations Is Mouth-to-Mouth Breathing Recommended?
- How Do You Administer Mouth-to-Mouth Rescue Breaths?
- Common Mistakes to Avoid When Performing Mouth-to-Mouth Breathing
- Learn How & When to Give Rescue Breaths When It Counts
You’re at a family barbecue, chatting and laughing, when someone suddenly screams. The world seems to slow as you realize one of your friends is being pulled from the swimming pool and they’re not breathing. Would you know what to do? Would you know how to save their life?
Mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths are a critical tool in moments like this, designed to keep oxygen flowing to vital organs until professional help arrives. But rescue breaths aren’t always straightforward.
There are different scenarios when you need to use mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths immediately and times when rescue breaths should be combined with CPR.
Knowing when rescue breaths are necessary could be the key to saving a life.
What Is the Indication for Mouth-to-Mouth Rescue Breaths?
| 1. Near Drowning: If a victim is not breathing, prioritize mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths during CPR to provide the best chance of a positive outcome. 2. Drug Overdose: If an overdose victim is not breathing, perform rescue breaths. Drugs — particularly opiates — can lead to respiratory depression or decrease the functioning of the respiratory system. ** 3. Asthma Attack & COPD: In the case of severe asthma attacks or COPD, because the obstruction in the respiratory system has caused an oxygen shortage, rescue breaths are essential if the victim becomes unresponsive and stops breathing. 4. Trauma: If a victim has suffered physical trauma and is not breathing, rescuers should start performing rescue breaths right away. 5. Poisoning: If you suspect someone has ingested something poisonous and is no longer breathing, perform rescue breaths. ** 6. Diabetic Emergencies: If you suspect someone is having an emergency caused by diabetes and he or she is not breathing, perform rescue breaths. 7. Stroke: In some stroke cases, the person may stop breathing. If you suspect a stroke, perform rescue breaths to ensure oxygen is getting to the lungs. 8. Cardiac Arrest: In the case of cardiac arrest, perform rescue breaths with CPR at a rate of 30 chest compressions for every 2 breaths for an adult. How to Give Rescue Breaths: Pinch the nose, lift the chin, and give mouth-to-mouth with a barrier device or use a pocket mask or bag valve mask with a proper seal. Provide rescue breaths at a rate of one breath every 6 seconds for an adult and at a rate of one breath every 2-3 seconds for infants and children. Meanwhile, have someone nearby call emergency services or, if you’re alone, call on your cell phone while continuing to perform rescue breaths. ** Note: Use extra precaution and protective gear when providing rescue breathing to individuals who have been exposed to poisons or drug overdoses as they could expose rescuers to dangerous chemicals as well as the usual viruses, bacteria, and fungi. |
Rescue breaths are crucial in emergencies like drowning, drug overdoses, or breathing issues where the heart isn’t the main problem. Understanding when to use mouth-to-mouth breathing versus hands-only CPR could make all the difference in saving someone’s life.
Many people find the idea of giving mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths intimidating. While it’s very natural to feel this way — particularly if you aren’t a medical professional — performing rescue breaths is a skill that can mean survival for someone who’s struggling to breathe.
Emergencies can happen anywhere, anytime. Let’s make sure you’re ready. This guide breaks down when and how to use rescue breaths, common mistakes to avoid, and why oxygen is so vital in CPR.
What Is Mouth-to-Mouth Breathing in CPR?
Mouth-to-mouth breathing is a technique in CPR where a rescuer breathes directly into the mouth of an unresponsive person to provide a continuous supply of oxygen to the lungs.
By covering the person’s mouth with their own and delivering a controlled breath, air reaches the lungs and helps maintain necessary oxygen levels in the bloodstream. This technique is extremely beneficial when a victim’s breathing has stopped due to respiratory issues such as in the case of near-drowning, drug overdose, or severe asthma attacks.
Rescue breaths are crucial when a victim’s breathing has stopped and they are at risk of oxygen deprivation.
During mouth-to-mouth, the rescuer must maintain a tight seal and use a steady breath to avoid forcing air into the victim’s stomach, which can cause complications. Effective mouth-to-mouth breathing requires careful coordination, proper head positioning, and an understanding of how much air to deliver, depending on the age and size of the victim.
The Effectiveness of Mouth-to-Mouth Breathing
According to the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation and the recommendations published by the American Heart Association, “Given the potential benefit of conventional CPR [with rescue breaths], if lay rescuers are appropriately trained, they should be encouraged to concurrently deliver ventilation with compressions.” The effectiveness of mouth-to-mouth breathing becomes evident in specific scenarios when the heart is not the problem and the victim is more at risk of injury or fatality due to a lack of oxygen.
For instance, near-drowning incidents obstruct natural breathing, so rescue breaths help open the airway and expel water that may have entered the lungs. Performing rescue breaths allows for oxygen exchange in the lungs, thereby restoring respiration more effectively than chest compressions alone.
Mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing can bridge the gap between a respiratory emergency and when help arrives.
Similarly, in cases of respiratory-related cardiac arrest, such as those caused by asthma or anaphylaxis, oxygen delivery through rescue breaths significantly increases the chances for revival.
Mouth-to-mouth breathing can bridge the gap between respiratory emergencies and the arrival of medical professionals, leading to better outcomes and higher survival rates.
When Do We Give Mouth-to-Mouth Breaths in CPR?
Typically, when we think of CPR, we picture a combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths. But whether you use one, the other, or both depends on the situation and the victim.
If the victim has a pulse but isn’t breathing…
In this scenario, the heart likely isn’t the problem. Instead, the issue could be respiratory – such as in near drowning, asthma attack, COPD, and trauma scenarios – in which case the danger is oxygen deprivation.
Rescuers should start breathing at a rate of one breath every 6 seconds for an adult and, for infants and children, at a rate of one breath every 2-3 seconds.
Watch our video for more information about how to perform rescue breathing on an adult:
If the victim doesn’t have a pulse and isn’t breathing…
Perform CPR with rescue breaths if the victim doesn’t have a pulse and isn’t breathing on their own.
After you’ve called 911, checked for breathing and a pulse, and done 30 chest compressions, start CPR with rescue breaths. Continue to provide 30 chest compressions followed by two breaths for any age victim.
Watch our video for more information on how to perform CPR with rescue breaths on an adult:
If you’re not comfortable giving rescue breaths…
If you have a person who is unresponsive and not breathing, we can assume the victim does not or at least will not have a pulse for long. Therefore, you should still start full CPR.
However, if you’re not comfortable giving breaths or don’t have the proper training, hands-only CPR is appropriate.
If you are not comfortable or trained in performing rescue breaths, rescuers should prioritize chest compressions to keep oxygen circulating to the victim’s organs.
Keep in mind that if an adult victim is in cardiac arrest due to a respiratory issue (such as drowning, a severe asthma attack, choking, etc.) full CPR is still recommended. Regardless of the cause, all children should receive full CPR if they are not breathing and have no pulse.
If you’re not comfortable giving rescue breaths, please consider taking a full CPR class so you can provide the best care in an emergency.
If you are a medical professional with two rescuers…
If you are a medical professional providing basic life support (BLS) with two rescuers, provide 15 chest compressions, followed by 2 rescue breaths. Repeat this ratio of 15:2 until the victim regains consciousness and is breathing on his or her own, or until additional help arrives.
In What Other Situations Is Mouth-to-Mouth Breathing Recommended?
There are instances outside of cardiac arrest in which mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths are recommended. Generally, these are situations in which a victim has stopped breathing or isn’t moving and still has circulation, such as:
- Near Drowning: If a victim is not breathing, prioritize mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths during CPR to provide the best chance of a positive outcome.
- Drug Overdose: If an overdose victim is not breathing, perform rescue breaths. Drugs — particularly opiates — can lead to respiratory depression or decrease the functioning of the respiratory system.
- Asthma Attack & COPD: In the case of an asthma attack or COPD, because the obstruction in the respiratory system has caused an oxygen shortage, rescue breaths are essential if the victim becomes unresponsive and stops breathing.
- Trauma: If a victim has suffered physical trauma and is not breathing, rescuers should start performing rescue breaths right away.
- Poisoning: If you suspect someone has ingested something poisonous and is no longer breathing, perform rescue breaths.
- Diabetic Emergencies: If you suspect someone is having an emergency caused by diabetes and he or she is not breathing, perform rescue breaths.
- Stroke: In some stroke cases, the person may stop breathing. If you suspect a stroke, perform rescue breaths to ensure as much oxygen as possible is getting to the lungs.
- Cardiac Arrest: In the case of cardiac arrest, perform rescue breaths with CPR at a rate of 30 chest compressions for every 2 breaths for an adult.
When used in the right scenario,
rescue breaths can save lives.
Before we dive into the “how” of performing rescue breaths, you can share the lifesaving information above with our easy-to-read infographic.
Now that you can answer “When do we give mouth-to-mouth breaths?”, let’s explore how to perform them.
How Do You Administer Mouth-to-Mouth Rescue Breaths?
Administering mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths involves carefully delivering air into a person’s lungs to help them breathe when they cannot do so on their own.
Timing, positioning, and observing the chest for movement are all key steps, making the breaths effective while minimizing risks to the victim. Before proceeding, it’s essential to assess the situation to make sure it’s safe to perform the rescue.
Start by checking that the area is safe. Look for potential hazards like traffic, fire, or unstable surroundings that could put you or the victim in further danger. Once the scene is secure, position the person on their back on a flat surface. This positioning allows you to open their airway properly and monitor their chest for movement.
It’s important to remember that the approach to administering rescue breaths should be personalized depending on whether the victim is an adult, child, or infant. Regardless of the age of the person you’re assisting, the primary goal is the same — to deliver oxygen and restore breathing as quickly as possible.
If you’d prefer a printable visual guide, we’ve got you covered with our rescue breaths PDF. It’s an easy way to drill the basics with your classroom, team, or community.
Administering Rescue Breaths to Adults
For rescue breaths to save lives, they must be performed properly. When healthcare professionals administer mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths to adults, they use the following steps:
- Place the head in a neutral position and lift the chin, opening the airway.
- Close the nostrils gently using your fingers.
- Take a breath, then form a seal around the mouth with your mouth.
- Blow a breath steadily into the mouth over about 1 second, watching for the chest to just rise.
- Remove your mouth and let the chest fall before administering the next breath. Continue giving one breath every 6 seconds.
Administering Rescue Breaths to Children
Watch our video to see how a healthcare professional would administer rescue breaths to a child:
For healthcare professionals, the steps to administering rescue breaths to a child over one year old differ slightly from rescue breathing on an adult. You’ll want to follow these steps:
- Place the head in a neutral position and lift the chin, opening the airway.
- Close the nostrils gently using your fingers.
- Open the mouth slightly, keeping the chin pointing upwards.
- Take a breath, then form a seal around the mouth with your mouth.
- Blow a breath steadily into the mouth over about 1 second, watching for the chest to just rise.
- Keeping the head tilted and chin lifted, take your mouth away, and watch for the chest to fall as air comes out.
- Take another breath and repeat this sequence every 2-3 seconds.
Administering Rescue Breaths to Infants
Watch our video to see how a healthcare professional would administer rescue breaths to an infant:
For healthcare professionals, to properly administer rescue breaths to a child under one year old, use the following steps:
- Place the head in a neutral position and lift the chin, opening the airway.
- Take a breath, then seal the mouth and nose with your mouth. If you cannot cover both the mouth and nose at the same time, choose one to seal with your mouth while keeping the other closed with your fingers.
- Blow a small breath steadily into the mouth and nose over 1 second. It should be sufficient to make the chest just visibly rise.
- Keeping the head tilted and chin lifted, take your mouth away and watch for the chest to fall as air comes out.
- Take another breath and repeat this sequence every 2-3 seconds.
How to Know If More Help Is Needed
Depending on the original cause of the emergency and why rescue breathing or mouth-to-mouth was needed, you may need to continue rescue breaths for some time.
To know whether or not to continue rescue breaths, look for a change in lip color (pink indicates improvement), spontaneous breathing, or movement of the eyes, mouth, or other parts of the body.
All of those are signs that the victim is being revived, and rescue breaths may not be needed for much longer.
However, if the victim is unmoving, turning gray or blue, or if there was movement that has stopped, they may need full CPR again.
Be sure to reassess the victim every 2 minutes to make sure that rescue breathing can continue. If you no longer believe the victim has a pulse, the victim may need CPR with compressions and breaths.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Performing Mouth-to-Mouth Breathing
Effective rescue breathing requires proper technique and awareness of potential errors that could compromise saving a life. Even minor mistakes can reduce the effectiveness of rescue breaths, diminishing oxygen flow to the brain and organs when it’s most critical.
Here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid when performing mouth-to-mouth breathing to improve the overall quality of the CPR being administered:
- Insufficient head tilt or chin lift can keep the airway partially or fully blocked, which prevents air from reaching the lungs.
- Poor seal between the rescuer’s mouth, causing air to escape rather than enter the lungs.
- Blowing too forcefully or too quickly can push air into the victim’s stomach, leading to regurgitation and other potential complications.
- Inconsistent breathing rate that prevents the lungs from filling completely.
- Neglecting to reassess the victim every 2 minutes for signs of recovery, such as movement, spontaneous breathing, or color changes.
These common mistakes highlight the importance of using controlled, purposeful techniques during CPR. When these errors are minimized, the quality of mouth-to-mouth breathing improves.
Learn How & When to Give Rescue Breaths When It Counts
Performing mouth-to-mouth breathing effectively during CPR truly saves lives, but it’s not always easy to do correctly under pressure.
Avoiding common mistakes like improper head tilt, poor seal, or blowing too forcefully requires proper training and practice. Having a team that is well-versed in these techniques allows them to handle emergency situations with confidence, minimizing the risks of ineffective CPR.
At ProTrainings, our goal is to help people save lives. That’s why we’ve created world-class virtual, in-person, and blended courses to make sure everyone has the skills they need to be a rescuer.
In addition to “What is the indication for mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths?”, our comprehensive courses cover all aspects of CPR, including mouth-to-mouth breathing and first aid for babies, children, and adults. We teach the correct techniques, help prevent common errors, and prepare your team to perform in real-life scenarios.
Investing in CPR certification through ProTrainings keeps your organization compliant and strengthens the safety culture within your organization. Explore our training programs here, and get your team certified and ready to make a difference.