What is the primary role of rescue breaths in CPR?

The primary role of rescue breaths in CPR is to inflate the lungs and provide oxygen. When performing CPR, particularly in situations involving cardiac arrest where a person is not breathing or not breathing normally, administering rescue breaths helps deliver vital oxygen directly into the person's lungs. This is crucial because the body, especially the brain, requires oxygen to function. Without it, brain damage can occur within minutes.

While rescue breaths are part of the respiratory support during CPR, they complement chest compressions, which are essential for circulating blood throughout the body. It's important to understand that rescue breaths alone cannot circulate blood effectively; they must be combined with chest compressions to improve overall outcomes during resuscitation efforts. Therefore, the focus of rescue breaths is specifically on oxygenation rather than blood circulation, heart rhythm stimulation, or blood pressure regulation.