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

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