If there is no normal breathing but a pulse is felt, what should you do?

If there is no normal breathing but a pulse is felt, what should you do?

• A. Provide rescue breathing, 1 breath every 6 seconds
• B. Start CPR with 30 compressions and 2 breaths
• C. Immediately apply AED and analyze rhythm
• D. Move the victim and check for a pulse again

Answer: (A)

When breathing stops but a pulse is still present, the priority is to ventilate the person to deliver oxygen to the blood while the heart continues to beat. Since a pulse is present, chest compressions are not indicated. Provide rescue breaths at a steady rate—about one breath every six seconds (roughly 10 breaths per minute)—and let each breath fully inflate the chest. Continue giving breaths and monitor the person; if the pulse disappears, or if breathing does not resume, start CPR with compressions and breaths. If an AED is available, turn it on and use it as soon as appropriate according to prompts.

When breathing stops but a pulse is still present, the priority is to ventilate the person to deliver oxygen to the blood while the heart continues to beat. Since a pulse is present, chest compressions are not indicated. Provide rescue breaths at a steady rate—about one breath every six seconds (roughly 10 breaths per minute)—and let each breath fully inflate the chest. Continue giving breaths and monitor the person; if the pulse disappears, or if breathing does not resume, start CPR with compressions and breaths. If an AED is available, turn it on and use it as soon as appropriate according to prompts.