American Lifeguard Practice Exam

If you find an unconscious child who has a pulse but is not breathing, what action should you take?

1. Give one rescue breath every 3 seconds

2. Perform CPR immediately

3. Wait for emergency services

4. Check for a blockage

The correct answer is: Give one rescue breath every 3 seconds

In this scenario, providing rescue breaths to an unconscious child who has a pulse but is not breathing is the appropriate action. This situation indicates that the child is experiencing respiratory arrest, where the heart is still functioning, but ventilation has stopped. Rescue breaths help deliver oxygen to the lungs, ensuring that vital organs continue to receive the oxygen they need. When you give one rescue breath every 3 seconds, it allows for proper ventilation without over-inflating the lungs, which can lead to further complications. This method supports the child’s oxygenation until they can resume normal breathing or until emergency medical assistance arrives. Other options are less suitable in this context. Performing CPR immediately would be necessary if the child also lacked a pulse, indicating a full cardiac arrest. Waiting for emergency services does not address the immediate need for air, which is critical in this scenario. Checking for a blockage would be relevant if there was suspicion of choking, but since the child has a pulse, this is not the immediate concern.