How often should rescue breaths be given to a child who is not breathing but has a pulse?

For a child who is not breathing but still has a pulse, rescue breaths should be administered at a rate of one breath every 3 seconds. This equates to approximately 20 breaths per minute. The rationale behind this frequency is to provide adequate oxygenation to the child without over-ventilating. Delivering breaths too quickly can lead to complications such as airway obstruction or hyperventilation.

In pediatric resuscitation, maintaining a balance between providing enough ventilation to ensure proper oxygen levels and avoiding excessive breaths is crucial. This method is consistent with the guidelines set forth in CPR training protocols, emphasizing that while the heart may still be functioning, the child requires immediate assistance with breathing.

Other suggested frequencies, such as every 2 seconds, may lead to too many breaths too quickly, while longer intervals, like every 5 seconds or every minute, may not provide timely intervention to support the child's needs in a critical situation.