Final answer:
An adult requires rescue breaths at a rate of 10 to 12 breaths per minute, while a child under 1 year old needs around 20 breaths per minute. As children grow, the rate can be adjusted closer to the adult rate. Naloxone is vital for reversing opioid effects in emergencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
In an opioid-suspected emergency, where respiratory arrest is a concern, rescue breaths must be administered at a rate suitable for the victim's age group. For adults, the rescue breath rate should be about one breath every 5 to 6 seconds, which translates to 10 to 12 breaths per minute. In contrast, children require a higher breath rate due to their naturally higher breathing rates, which is about one breath every 3 seconds or 20 breaths per minute for a child under 1 year of age.
As children approach adolescence, the rescue breath rate should be adjusted closer to that of adults because their normal respiratory rates decrease with age. Additionally, the availability and use of naloxone (Narcan) is crucial in these emergencies to reverse the effects of opioids and maintain respiration until emergency services can provide further medical treatment.