What should you do to determine whether or not a victim requires rescue breathing?

To determine whether a victim requires rescue breathing, checking for a pulse and for breathing is the most effective method. Assessing these vital signs allows you to establish whether the victim is breathing effectively. If the victim has no pulse or is not breathing at all, immediate rescue breathing is necessary as part of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This action is critical in providing oxygen to the brain and other vital organs until advanced medical help can take over.

Other options, such as asking the victim if they can breathe or looking for signs of panic, may not yield accurate information in an emergency. A conscious person's ability to respond can be confused or unreliable due to their condition, and visual signs like panic do not provide a clear assessment of respiratory or cardiac function. Waiting for help to arrive would be inappropriate, especially if the victim is in critical condition, as immediate response can greatly impact survival outcomes.