What is the correct way to give rescue breaths?

The correct method for delivering rescue breaths involves pinching the nose, sealing your lips around the mouth of the victim, and administering two breaths, each lasting about one second. This technique ensures that air is effectively delivered into the lungs, helping to provide necessary oxygen to someone who is not breathing adequately on their own.

By pinching the nose, you prevent air from escaping through the nasal passage, which allows for maximum airflow into the lungs. Sealing your lips around the mouth ensures that the air does not leak out, and delivering the breaths over one second each allows for an adequate volume of air to enter the lungs without causing over-inflation, which can lead to complications.

The focus on two breaths before continuing with chest compressions is also a critical part of the sequence during a cardiac arrest scenario, ensuring that the patient receives oxygen quickly. This technique aligns with the guidelines set forth by AHA for effective ventilation and resuscitation in emergency situations.