Rescue Breathing
Rescue breathing is also termed "assisted ventilation's". This intervention applies to an unresponsive victim who is not breathing (adequately or at all) but still has a pulse. Because the patient still has a pulse, we know that the heart is still working. Victims who need rescue breathing may be:
Drug overdose victims
Near drowning victims
Unresponsive diabetics
Patients who have been resuscitated
Head injury victims
It is important to remember to ventilate patients slowly. The breathing ratio for adults is 1 breath every 5 seconds, while for infants and children it is 1 breath every 3 seconds. These are literal seconds and not "as fast as you can count" seconds. Excessive ventilation can cause gastric distention and increase intra thoracic pressure which is detrimental to caring for the unresponsive victim.
When providing rescue breathing the pulse should be checked every couple of minutes to ensure that the heart is still working. Rescue breathing can be an effective way to keep someone form going into cardiac arrest. To provide breath you can either use your mouth, or a commercial breathing device like an ambu bag or pocket mask. Taking a CPR/AED for the professional rescuer can help you learn how to appropriately provide rescue breathing,
October 20th, 2010 on 10442 am
The new guidelines seem to imply that it's ok to do CPR on somone that still has a pulse. I have always agreed with chest compression only CPR being better then no CPR. But I really can't agree with pumping away on just anyone who is unconsciouss. However, I can understand the need to redirect non trained but well meaning responders AWAY from providing breaths since they are not going to do it right anyway.