Final answer:
To check if someone is breathing, look for chest movements, listen for breathing sounds, and feel for breath on your cheek. During emergencies like drowning, signs may be different, and CPR should commence immediately after rescue from water. Knowing CPR techniques is critical for providing aid until professional help arrives.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine if a victim found face-up is breathing, observe for several signs: Check if the chest is rising and falling which indicates breathing movements. Listen for the sound of breathing by placing your ear close to the person's mouth and nose. Feel for breath on your cheek. Additionally, look for other signs like gasping or wheezing, and check the person's complexion, as a bluish color could suggest lack of oxygen. It's crucial to note, during emergencies such as drowning, the signs of distress might not be typical; a victim may not be able to wave or call for help due to the muscular spasm sealing the airway. Always attempt resuscitation promptly after bringing a person out of the water as per safety recommendations. Knowing the correct CPR technique is essential as it could help save a life by restoring blood flow to vital organs until professional help arrives.
CPR Technique
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be performed by applying pressure to the sternum, compressing the chest at least 5 cm deep and at a rate of 100 compressions per minute. This manual compression pushes blood through the heart into the systemic and pulmonary circuits, crucially supplying the brain with oxygenated blood. Rescue breaths are no longer the primary focus; high-quality chest compressions are the current standard.