Rescue Breaths
Rescue breaths are used in CPR to deliver oxygen to a non-breathing person’s lungs.
Rescue breaths are a vital part of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), used to provide oxygen to a person who is not breathing or not breathing normally. They are especially important in situations where breathing has stopped due to drowning, suffocation, or in young children and infants—where cardiac arrest is more likely caused by breathing problems than heart issues.
To perform rescue breaths, the rescuer first opens the airway using the head tilt–chin lift method (or jaw thrust if spinal injury is suspected). The rescuer pinches the nose shut (for adults and children), seals their mouth over the person's mouth, and gives a slow breath lasting about one second—watching for the chest to rise. If it rises, a second breath is given before resuming chest compressions in a 30:2 ratio.
For children (aged 1–8), the technique is similar to that used in adults, but breaths should be gentler, with just enough air to make the chest rise visibly. For infants (under 1 year), rescue breaths are given by placing the rescuer’s mouth over both the infant’s mouth and nose, using smaller puffs of air to avoid overinflation.
In all age groups, if two rescue breaths do not make the chest rise, first aiders should suspect a blocked airway and begin CPR with chest compressions.
Australian CPR guidelines recommend including rescue breaths, particularly in paediatric and drowning cases, as oxygenation is critical. However, if a rescuer is not trained or unwilling to give breaths, chest compressions alone are still beneficial and should be started immediately.
Unconsciousness
No signs of normal breathing
No response to voice or touch
Cardiac arrest
Cyanosis (bluish lips or skin)
Open the airway with a head tilt–chin lift.
Pinch the nose closed and seal your mouth over theirs. Use a barrier device such as a CPR/pocket mask or resuscitation shield if available.
Give 1 breath lasting about 1 second, watching for chest rise. For infants, give a small puff of air.
Give a second breath if the chest rises.
Resume chest compressions (30 compressions to 2 breaths).
Rescue breaths are breaths given by a rescuer to a non-breathing person to supply oxygen. They are used during CPR to help maintain oxygen flow to the brain and vital organs.