When should you perform rescue breaths in CPR?

Rescue breaths in CPR should be performed only if the person is not breathing at all or not breathing normally, which emphasizes the critical nature of effective ventilation in the absence of adequate breathing. When a person is unresponsive and shows no signs of breathing, the heart may still be beating, but without proper oxygen exchange occurring via breathing, the body's organs begin to suffer from lack of oxygen.

This situation necessitates the delivery of rescue breaths to provide oxygen directly into the lungs and maintain oxygenation until professional help arrives or the person begins breathing on their own. It's important to distinguish that rescue breaths should not be given when the person is responsive, as they would not require assistance in breathing, and also in cases where a pulse is weak but effective, as circulation is still present even if it is not optimal. By accurately identifying when to provide rescue breaths, you can help to improve the chances of survival and reduce the risk of long-term damage to the individual.