Title: Artificial respiration
Course: Level 3 - First Aid > Section: Provision of First Aid service and referral

It is a procedure for making air flow into and out of a person's lungs when individual's natural breathing is inadequate or ceased.
The purpose of artificial respiration is to maintain an open airway and restore breathing. Artificial respiration should always be continued until the victim begins to breathe by him/herself.

Mouth to Mouth / Mouth to Nose / Method of Artificial Respiration

The decision to perform mouth to mouth respiration by a First Responders is a personal choice.

Whenever possible, a barrier device should be used to prevent cross infection.

- Determine consciousness of the victim.
- Tilt the victim's head back so that shin is pointing upward.
- Look at the victim's chest if it moves for 5 seconds.
- If no breathing (see Figure 24, below)
  - Pinch the victim's nostril
  - Open your mouth wide.
  - Take a deep breath.
  - Seal your mouth tightly around the victims.
  - Initially give four quick full breaths.

Look, listen & feel for exhalation of air and check for the pulse for at least five but not more than 10 seconds. If no pulse & breath, do cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
If there are a pulse and no breath, provide at least one breath with every 5 seconds or 12 /minute for adults, and this provides sufficient air.

Fig. 24. Mouth to mouth respiration for an adult casualty.