How many breaths should be given during rescue breathing for an adult?

For rescue breathing in an adult, the recommended frequency is to provide one breath every five seconds. This rate allows for sufficient time between breaths to ensure that the air reaches the lungs effectively without causing barotrauma or distension of the stomach. It also aligns with the overall goal during rescue breathing, which is to provide adequate oxygenation while minimizing the risk of complications.

This method ensures that the person receiving rescue breaths has adequate time to exhale before the next breath is administered, promoting effective ventilation and oxygen delivery. The five-second interval supports a rhythm that allows the rescuer to monitor the person's chest rise, ensuring that breaths are being delivered successfully.

When looking at the other options, they do not meet the recommended guidelines for safe and effective rescue breathing. A breath every three seconds could lead to too rapid a rate of ventilation, potentially causing complications. Similarly, two breaths every five seconds could overwhelm the airway and compromise the effectiveness of the breaths given. Lastly, providing a breath every ten seconds would be too slow and could lead to inadequate oxygenation for the person in distress.