What is the indication for mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths?

Mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths, now more accurately termed rescue breaths, are indicated when a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, or only gasping. This means they're not getting enough oxygen to their brain and other organs. The specific indications are:

• Unresponsiveness: The person is unconscious and does not respond to verbal stimuli or gentle shaking.

• Absence of normal breathing: This is crucial. Gasping is not considered normal breathing. Gasping is irregular, shallow, and ineffective breathing. If the person is gasping, rescue breaths are still necessary.

• No signs of life: The absence of normal breathing, pulse, and other signs of life are clear indications for rescue breaths.

It's important to note: Rescue breaths are part of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). They should be performed in conjunction with chest compressions unless contraindicated by specific circumstances (e.g., training limitations, scene safety issues). The overall goal is to restore adequate circulation and oxygenation to the brain and vital organs.

Modern CPR guidelines emphasize chest compressions as the priority in many cases, but rescue breaths remain an essential component for ensuring oxygen delivery. The specific ratio of compressions to breaths may vary slightly depending on the guidelines followed and whether a single rescuer or a team is performing CPR.