mouth-to-mouth breathing

Mouth-to-mouth breathing, also known as artificial respiration or rescue breathing, is a technique used to help someone who has stopped breathing start breathing again. This method involves the rescuer placing their mouth over the victim's mouth, creating a seal, and blowing air into the victim's lungs. This process is crucial for maintaining oxygen flow to the brain and vital organs until professional medical help arrives.12345

The technique requires opening the victim's airway, often by tilting the head back and lifting the chin, and then providing breaths at a specific rate. Mouth-to-mouth breathing became widely adopted in the 1950s after research demonstrated its effectiveness in delivering air compared to older methods. It is a component of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), though hands-only CPR is now recommended for adults who have suddenly collapsed.25