When is rescue breathing appropriate?

Rescue breathing is appropriate in situations where a patient is apneic, meaning they are not breathing, yet they still have a pulse. This is crucial because the patient requires oxygenation to preserve brain function and other vital organs. In this circumstance, the heart is still functioning, but without adequate ventilation, the body's tissues can become hypoxic, leading to further complications such as brain damage or death if not addressed promptly.

Effective rescue breathing can provide the necessary oxygen until normal spontaneous breathing is restored or advanced medical help arrives. This technique is specifically designed to deliver breaths directly to the patient, ensuring that oxygen is being supplied to the lungs and subsequently the bloodstream.

In contrast, scenarios where a patient is unresponsive with no heartbeat indicate a cardiac arrest situation, which requires cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) rather than just rescue breathing. Similarly, a patient who is awake and alert or breathing normally does not require rescue breathing, as they are capable of maintaining their own oxygenation effectively.