Rescue breathing is the method for giving breaths to a non-breathing guest.

Let’s break down a concept that every lifeguard needs to have crystal clear: rescue breathing. On the pool deck, in a sudden quiet moment, this technique can be the difference between a long night and a week of relief. It’s simple in theory, but it matters in practice—especially for a non-breathing guest who still has a pulse. So what exactly is rescue breathing, and how does it fit into the bigger picture of lifesaving?

What is rescue breathing, really?

Rescue breathing is the part of first-aid care where you provide breaths to someone who isn’t breathing but still has a pulse. Think of it as ventilation support—the goal is to fill the lungs with air so oxygen can ride the bloodstream to the brain, heart, and other vital organs. You’re not trying to restart a stopped heart with chest compressions during rescue breaths; you’re keeping the oxygen flowing until help arrives or the person starts breathing again.

To put it plainly: rescue breathing is breathing assistance, not chest compressions. It’s a precise action—delivered with control and calm—that sits inside the larger CPR framework. CPR, in contrast, combines rescue breathing with chest compressions for someone who is unresponsive and not breathing. The two practices aren’t conflicting; they’re complementary, each with its own immediate purpose.

How rescue breathing relates to CPR

CPR is like a toolkit that has multiple parts. Rescue breathing is one of those parts, specifically the breaths you give when the person isn’t breathing but still has a pulse. If the pulse disappears or isn’t detectable, the toolkit shifts toward chest compressions and breaths in a different balance. In a real-life lifeguard scenario, you start with the basics: check for responsiveness, call for help, open the airway, and assess breathing. If there’s no breathing but a pulse, rescue breathing comes into play. If there’s no pulse at all, chest compressions join the effort.

Choking relief and first aid: not the same, but related

You’ll hear related first-aid actions on deck—choking relief, for instance, which is about clearing an airway obstruction. That’s a separate skill, with its own sequence and cues. First aid, more broadly, covers a wide range of situations—from heat exhaustion to minor cuts. Rescue breathing fits neatly into first aid when the patient isn’t breathing but still has a pulse. It’s a focused tool for a specific moment in time.

What rescue breathing looks like on the pool deck

Let me explain what this might feel like in a real-life setting. A guest slips underwater or experiences a medical event, and you pull them to the edge. They’re unresponsive and not breathing, but you detect a pulse. You don’t waste a beat arguing about what to do next—you begin rescue breaths to ventilate the lungs. The breaths should be steady and measured, enough to cause the chest to rise, but not forceful or frantic. You keep this rhythm until breathing returns or EMS takes over.

In a lifeguard context, rescue breathing is often performed with a barrier device, like a pocket mask, to protect both the rescuer and the guest. The deck’s routine—checking scene safety, summoning help, and then delivering breaths—still applies, but the emphasis shifts to careful, effective ventilation. It’s a balance between speed and control: you want to keep oxygen flowing without causing unnecessary interruptions or delays.

One question that often comes up: how many breaths and how fast?

For adults, rescue breathing is typically described in terms of rhythm rather than a countdown. If you’re providing breaths while a pulse is present, you keep a steady tempo until breathing resumes or professional help arrives. In many guidelines, you’d aim for about 10 to 12 breaths per minute (roughly one every 5 to 6 seconds). The exact cadence can vary based on the training you’ve received and the specific protocol in your region, but the core idea stays the same: steady, controlled breaths, not a frantic barrage.

Real-world context: why this matters for lifeguards

Drowning victims, allergic reactions, or medically compromised guests can experience a temporary halt in breathing while still having a pulse. In those moments, rescue breathing buys time. For lifeguards, it’s about maintaining oxygen delivery until the person can resume breathing on their own or until advanced care arrives. This is more than a drill; it’s the practical skill that bridges a dangerous moment and a safer outcome.

Common myths, cleared up

• Myth: Rescue breathing is the same as CPR. Reality: CPR combines rescue breathing with chest compressions when there is no pulse. Rescue breathing focuses on ventilation when a pulse exists.

• Myth: You must always give breaths first, then check for a pulse. Reality: The quickest approach is to assess breathing and pulse together as part of your initial check, then decide whether rescue breaths are appropriate.

• Myth: If you’re not trained, you shouldn’t assist. Reality: Even with basic training, you can offer help by calling for assistance, checking the scene, and following your guardian-agency’s protocols. Always get professional help involved as soon as possible.

Tips to keep in mind on the pool deck

• Stay calm. A clear head helps you deliver breaths that are confident and effective.

• Use a barrier device if available. Pocket masks or other barriers protect you and the guest while you provide ventilation.

• Monitor the person closely. If breathing returns, you’ll shift to monitoring and supporting their breathing until EMS takes over.

• Know your limits. If you’re unsure or uncomfortable, focus on getting help quickly and relying on the team’s coordinated response.

• Practice, but in a way that respects safety. Rehearsing the rhythm and hand positioning in a controlled environment helps you react instinctively during an actual incident.

A few practical mindset notes

Think of rescue breathing as a bridge. It’s not a permanent fix, but it’s essential when a person’s heart is still beating, yet their lungs aren’t delivering air. That breath of life buys time and oxygen to the brain, which buys more stability for the guest and for the people around them. On a busy pool deck, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the noise, the sun, and the urgency. Keeping the core idea in mind—ventilation to sustain oxygenation until help arrives—can anchor your actions.

Where training meets the real world

Lifeguards trained under reputable programs—like those run by recognized management teams—learn rescue breathing as part of a broader skill set. You’ll hear about the balance between breaths and compressions, about the equipment that can assist you, and about when to call for back-up. The goal isn’t to memorize a checklist so much as to internalize a sequence that keeps a person breathing until more help shows up. It’s the practical fusion of science, split-second decision-making, and a touch of calm pragmatism on a hot afternoon.

A quick note on terminology you’ll hear

• Rescue breathing: providing breaths to a non-breathing person with a pulse.

• CPR: chest compressions plus rescue breaths for someone unresponsive and not breathing.

• Barrier devices: tools like pocket masks or shields used to deliver breaths safely.

• Pulse check: selecting the best moment to switch tactics if the situation changes.

Why this matters beyond the pool

While the scenario might seem specific to lifeguards, the principle is universal: preserving life through timely, targeted action when breathing becomes an issue. In water environments, the stakes feel even higher because of the rapid pace of events—drowning is a leading risk, and every second matters. That’s why rescue breathing, when used correctly, becomes a cornerstone of on-deck readiness. It’s about turning panic into a plan and making a tense moment a little more manageable.

Putting it all together

Rescue breathing isn’t a flashy move or an abstract concept. It’s a precise, vital response to a very real situation: a guest who isn’t breathing but still has a pulse. It sits inside CPR as a focused breathing component, ready to take precedence when a pulse is present. By understanding what rescue breathing is, how it differs from full CPR, and how it looks in practice on the pool deck, you’re equipping yourself to act with clarity when it matters most.

If you’re ever unsure, remember this simple rule of thumb: check responsiveness, check breathing and pulse, call for help, and then apply rescue breaths if there’s a pulse but no breathing. Keep it steady, keep it safe, and keep the guest’s oxygen flowing until professionals take over.

In the end, rescue breathing is a small action with a big impact. It’s the kind of knowledge that makes lifeguards better at what they do—protectors of the pool, guardians of calm in a storm, and stewards of life when minutes count.