a. If the casualty does not promptly resume adequate
spontaneous breathing after the airway is open, rescue breathing
(artificial respiration) must be started. Be calm! Think
and act quickly! The sooner you begin rescue breathing, the more
likely you are to restore the casualty's breathing. If you are
in doubt whether the casualty is breathing, give artificial respiration,
since it can do no harm to a person who is breathing. If the casualty
is breathing, you can feel and see his chest move. Also, if the
casualty is breathing, you can feel and hear air being expelled
by putting your hand or ear close to his mouth and nose.
b. There are several methods
of administering rescue breathing. The mouth-to-mouth method is
preferred; however, it cannot be used in all situations. If the
casualty has a severe jaw fracture or mouth wound or his jaws
are tightly closed by spasms, use the mouth-to-nose method.
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