What is the primary role of rescue breaths in an unresponsive person?

The primary role of rescue breaths in an unresponsive person is to deliver oxygen to the lungs. When a person becomes unresponsive and stops breathing normally, their body is deprived of oxygen, which is critical for maintaining cellular function and preventing brain damage. By providing rescue breaths, a rescuer introduces air that contains oxygen into the person’s lungs, facilitating the exchange of oxygen into the bloodstream.

This process is essential because the heart and brain require a continuous supply of oxygen to function properly. While there are other important elements in providing care to an unresponsive person, such as maintaining an open airway, the main goal of rescue breaths is specifically to ensure that oxygen reaches the lungs. This is especially crucial when the person is not breathing on their own, as it can help sustain life until professional medical assistance arrives.

In contrast, replacing chest compressions or trying to maintain heart rhythm are secondary to the action of delivering oxygen; these are part of a broader first aid response but are not the primary purpose of rescue breaths alone.