A vital component of CPR is Rescue breathing and may be part of your upcoming CPR certification or CPR course. Rescue breathing, however, can be daunting to some. It is commonly known as “mouth-to-mouth resuscitation,” It has typically been part of every CPR class. It requires class participants to go mouth to mouth on a cardiac arrest victim and breathe into their mouth while ensuring a clear airway. Most current guidelines recommend that rescuers perform two rescue breaths for every 30 corresponding chest compressions.
What is Rescue Breathing?
Also known as mouth to mouth breathing, rescue breathing is a form of artificial ventilation. It is the act of stimulating respiration in which a rescuer presses their mouth against that of the victim and blows air (rescue breath) into the victim’s lungs. Read on to learn the importance of rescue breathing.
When is Rescue Breathing needed?
In cardiac arrest, a victim’s heart can stop beating, and they may stop breathing. By utilizing rescue breathing, the air can immediately be sent to the victim, keeping them alive while waiting on the first respondents to arrive.
Also Read- CPR vs. Rescue Breathing: The Basic Resuscitation Difference
Unknown Periods of Cardiac Arrest
If a victim didn’t fall to the ground in front of you and you discover them already in a state of cardiac arrest with no idea how long they’ve been in this state, they likely need the rescue breathing. The likelihood of blood being more depleted of oxygen increases the survival chances of patients suffering from cardiac arrest.
How to do Rescue Breathing
Here’s a step by step instruction on how to do rescue breathing technique:
1. Open the victim’s airway by placing your hand on their forehead, then gently tilt their head back. Next, use the fingers of your other hand to carefully lift their chin upward.
2. Pinch the person’s nostrils closed to prevent air from escaping through their nose.
3. Cover the victim’s mouth with yours, forming a seal so that air doesn’t escape.
4. Give rescue breaths by breathing into their mouth gently. A rescue breath should last about 1 second, and check to see if the chest rises.
5. Continue giving rescue breaths until the normal breathing is restored or until emergency medical services arrive.
How does rescue breathing differ from CPR?
Depending on the medical situation, rescue breaths can be given alone or as a part of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. Rescue breaths can be given alone if a victim has a pulse but isn’t breathing, while CPR is performed when both the heartbeat and breathing have stopped. It involves cycles of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths. CPR is more common in an emergency than giving rescue breaths alone.
Why is Rescue Breathing still taught in CPR Certification?
Rescue breathing remains a core component of comprehensive CPR training, particularly for healthcare providers and professional responders. It ensures that oxygen is delivered directly to the lungs, which is essential in situations where blood oxygen levels are critically low, such as drowning, choking, severe asthma attacks, drug overdose, and other respiratory-related emergencies. In hospitals and professional settings, rescue breaths are still the preferred method to maximize oxygenation during cardiac arrest.
For bystanders, studies have shown that hands-only CPR (chest compressions without rescue breaths) is often easier to perform and still highly effective in adult cardiac arrest cases. Lay rescuers may feel uncomfortable giving mouth-to-mouth breaths, lack barrier devices, or be uncertain about technique. Research indicates that, in these situations, hands-only CPR does not reduce survival chances and can significantly improve the likelihood that CPR is actually performed.
As a result, modern CPR training emphasizes compressions-first, uninterrupted chest compressions, performed at a rate of 100–120 per minute, ideally to the rhythm of a song like “Staying Alive”. Rescue breaths are still taught in professional or detailed courses, but for lay rescuers, hands-only CPR is encouraged when providing care to an adult.
2025 AHA Updates
The latest 2025 AHA Guidelines reaffirm this approach. Rescue breaths remain essential for infants, children, and patients with respiratory arrest, while adult cardiac arrest caused by a sudden heart problem can be managed with hands-only CPR by lay rescuers. These updates also emphasize ethical responsibility, continuous quality improvement, and encouraging children 12 years and older to learn CPR and defibrillation.
This approach simplifies CPR, increases bystander confidence, and can save lives while waiting for emergency medical services to arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rescue Breathing
Why do we only give two rescue breaths in CPR?
By blowing into the victim’s mouth, you are topping up the oxygen levels in their blood. The oxygen you give them helps to keep the vital organs alive.
Does Rescue Breathing Work?
Yes. Rescue Breathing works, especially when a lack of oxygen was the original cause of cardiac arrest.
Is It Safe to Perform Assisted Ventilation?
Because of the COVID-19, people are concerned about giving rescue breaths. One way to prevent transmission is through a bag valve mask found in most first aid kits. Additionally, hands-on CPR is a viable, life-saving option for most victims and minimizes spread.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, rescue breathing is not the same as CPR. Instead, it’s a type of first aid that’s used if a victim has stopped breathing. Rescue breaths provide the victim with oxygen until emergency medical help arrives. In addition, Knowing the difference between rescue breathing and chest compressions is an essential part of any CPR/AED training and certification to be sure to understand which technique needs to be part of your upcoming classes.
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