What should you do when checking for breathing?

The correct approach to checking for breathing involves the method of looking, listening, and feeling. This technique allows you to assess whether the person is breathing effectively.

When you look, you should observe the chest for any rise and fall, indicating breath movement. Listening involves positioning your ear close to the person's mouth and nose to detect any sounds of breathing. Finally, feeling can be done by placing your hand near the person's mouth and nose to sense any breath against your skin. This combination of actions—visual, auditory, and tactile—provides a comprehensive assessment of the person's respiratory status.

This method is crucial in emergency situations as it helps to quickly determine if the individual is breathing, allowing you to decide on the next steps, such as initiating CPR if necessary, without wasting precious time. Other options may focus on a narrower aspect or imply waiting rather than actively assessing the person's condition.