When someone stops breathing, their body starts running out of oxygen within minutes. Rescue breathing, a manual method of delivering oxygen to a person who isn’t breathing on their own. Also known as artificial ventilation, it’s a core part of basic life support and can mean the difference between life and brain damage. It’s not about fancy techniques or perfect form—it’s about getting air into lungs fast, even if you’re scared or unsure.
Rescue breathing isn’t used alone. It’s paired with CPR, the combination of chest compressions and breaths to keep blood and oxygen moving during cardiac arrest. The American Heart Association updated guidelines to emphasize compressions first, but rescue breathing still matters—especially for children, drowning victims, or people who stopped breathing from choking or drug overdose. In those cases, the heart may still be beating, but the lungs have shut down. That’s where rescue breathing steps in.
It’s not complicated. Tilt the head back, lift the chin, pinch the nose, and give two slow breaths—each lasting about one second—until you see the chest rise. Too much air, too fast, or too hard can hurt. Too little won’t help. You don’t need a mask or special gear. Mouth-to-mouth works. Even if you’re hesitant, doing something is better than doing nothing. Studies show that bystanders who attempt rescue breathing, even imperfectly, double the chance of survival compared to doing nothing at all.
Some people worry about infection or legal risk. Realistically, the chance of catching something from rescue breathing is extremely low. And in most places, Good Samaritan laws protect you if you act in good faith. The bigger risk? Waiting. Every minute without oxygen kills about 10% of brain cells. That’s why training matters—not to become a hero, but to be ready when your neighbor, child, or coworker suddenly collapses.
Rescue breathing is part of a larger chain: recognizing the emergency, calling for help, starting CPR, and using an AED if available. But without oxygen delivery, none of the rest matters. That’s why every guide, from Red Cross to hospital protocols, puts it front and center. You don’t need to memorize every detail. You just need to know: if someone isn’t breathing, give breaths. Keep going until help arrives.
Below, you’ll find real-world advice from medical experts on how rescue breathing fits into emergency care, what to do when it doesn’t work, how to teach it to kids, and why some modern CPR guidelines skip it in adults. These aren’t theory pieces—they’re practical, tested tips from people who’ve seen what works when seconds count.
Learn the critical steps to take when someone may be overdosing - from calling 999 to giving rescue breaths and using naloxone. This guide gives clear, life-saving actions anyone can follow while waiting for emergency help.
