Question

You and another lifeguard find an unresponsive adult on the floor in the locker room. You activate your facility's EAP, size-up the scene, form an initial impression and perform a primary assessment. You find the victim is not moving or breathing, but has a pulse. You should summon EMS personnel, then:

a. Give ventilations at a rate of 1about every 5-6 seconds.
b. Give back blows and chest thrusts.
c. Give quick breaths at the rate of 20 to 40 a minute.
d. Perform CPR.

Answer 1

If an unresponsive adult has a pulse but is not breathing, you should give ventilations at a rate of one every 5-6 seconds after calling for emergency medical services. The correct option is a.

Step-by-step explanation:

Performing Rescue Ventilations

When you find an unresponsive adult with a pulse but who is not breathing, the proper course of action is to provide ventilations. After summoning emergency medical services (EMS), you should give ventilations at a rate of about one every 5-6 seconds (Option a). This equates to 10-12 breaths per minute.

These rescue breaths are crucial as they can help to oxygenate the blood when the victim's breathing is impaired or absent.

It is important to remember that CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) involving chest compressions is necessary when a victim has no pulse and is not breathing. In this scenario, since the victim has a pulse, chest compressions are not required.

Certification in CPR and rescue breathing techniques is highly recommended as improper technique may cause injury. This knowledge is imperative not only for medical personnel but also for lay rescuers. Option a. is the correct one.