Are you required to perform rescue breaths during CPR?

Are you required to perform rescue breaths during CPR?

• A. Yes, you must always give rescue breaths
• B. No, but high quality CPR is paramount until an AED arrives
• C. Only if trained for more than two minutes
• D. Never perform CPR without breathing

Answer: (B)

The essential idea is that keeping blood circulating is the top priority in CPR. You are not required to give rescue breaths in all situations; for bystanders with limited training, hands-only CPR—continuous chest compressions with minimal interruptions—is recommended to maintain perfusion while help arrives. If you are trained and able, you can add rescue breaths, but they are not mandatory. The key is to start CPR promptly and use an AED as soon as it’s available, since defibrillation plus good compressions improves survival. So the best answer emphasizes high-quality CPR until an AED arrives, rather than requiring breaths in every case.

The essential idea is that keeping blood circulating is the top priority in CPR. You are not required to give rescue breaths in all situations; for bystanders with limited training, hands-only CPR—continuous chest compressions with minimal interruptions—is recommended to maintain perfusion while help arrives. If you are trained and able, you can add rescue breaths, but they are not mandatory. The key is to start CPR promptly and use an AED as soon as it’s available, since defibrillation plus good compressions improves survival. So the best answer emphasizes high-quality CPR until an AED arrives, rather than requiring breaths in every case.