How can you determine if rescue breaths are effective?

To determine if rescue breaths are effective, observing chest rise with each breath is crucial. When performing rescue breaths, the goal is to deliver air into the victim's lungs effectively, which should cause the chest to rise visibly. This rise indicates that air is entering the lungs and that the breaths are indeed delivering the necessary oxygen to the individual.

If the chest does not rise, it suggests that the airway may be obstructed or that the breaths are not being delivered properly, which means the breaths are ineffective. Hence, noticing chest movement is a direct and observable way to assess the effectiveness of rescue breaths during a life-saving situation.

Assessing pulse, monitoring breath sounds, or waiting for the victim to regain consciousness are not immediate indicators of the effectiveness of rescue breaths and may delay necessary actions in an emergency. The priority is always to ensure that rescue breaths are causing chest rise, which confirms that air is entering the lungs and enhancing the chance of restoring normal breathing or circulation.