How to Check for Breathing

Injury, illness and exposure to certain chemicals can cause an individual to stop breathing. Because the brain begins to die after as few as four minutes without oxygen and a halt of breathing for six minutes can be fatal, breathing must be restored as soon possible. Simply discerning if a person is breathing or not---and clearly conveying that information to a 911 operator---may increase the likelihood of survival and recovery.

Checking for Breathing

• 1

  Tap the individual and ask if he is OK. This helps determine if the person is conscious. If the person does not respond, breathing must be checked.

• 2

  Look at the chest of the individual to see if the chest moves up and down. This is inhalation and exhalation. Do this quickly without touching the person, the Red Cross recommends.

• 3

  Bend down and listen closely for sounds of breathing.

• 4

  Place your hand or cheek near the nose and mouth of the person in order to determine if air is escaping from the nose or mouth.