The American Red Cross Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Practice Test

Using rescue breaths during CPR is appropriate when the victim is unresponsive and not breathing normally. This situation indicates that the person may be in cardiac arrest, where they require immediate assistance to restore breathing and circulation. Doing rescue breaths can provide oxygen to the lungs, which is critical for sustaining brain function and increasing the chances of survival until professional help arrives or until the heart starts beating again. In such a scenario, the rescuer assesses the victim's responsiveness and checks for normal breathing. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing or only gasping, it confirms the need for CPR, which includes both chest compressions and rescue breaths. This combination boosts oxygen flow to vital organs and is essential, particularly in cases where the heart is not functioning effectively. When a victim is breathing normally or is conscious and coughing, their airway is likely clear, and they can obtain adequate oxygen without assistance. In these cases, rescue breaths would not be necessary and could potentially compromise their airway.