In many cases, cardiac arrest is preceded by respiratory arrest. Therefore, it is important to be able to recognize respiratory issues in order to take steps to prevent cardiac arrest.
When a person of any age has a pulse but is not breathing (or is not breathing well), immediately open the airway using the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver and begin rescue breathing. See Table2 for details on rescue breathing.
| Age Group | How Often | Breaths per Minute | Duration | Evaluation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | Every 6 seconds | 10 to 12 breaths per minute | Each breath should last one second | Check for chest rise and breathing; Check pulse and begin CPR if necessary |
| Child/Infant | One rescuer: Every 6 seconds Two rescuers: Every 2 to 3 seconds |
One rescuer: 10 to 12 breaths per minute Two rescuers: 20 to 30 breaths per minute |
Table 2