What is the purpose of rescue breathing?

The purpose of rescue breathing is specifically to oxygenate the lungs of an unresponsive person who is not breathing or not breathing effectively. This technique is crucial in emergencies where an individual has experienced cardiac arrest or respiratory failure, as it helps to deliver oxygen directly into the lungs. When performed correctly, it can help to maintain oxygen levels in the blood until more advanced medical care can be provided. Ensuring that oxygen reaches vital organs, particularly the brain, is essential to prevent irreversible damage and increase the chances of survival.

In contrast, while keeping a person warm can be important in overall treatment and prevention of hypothermia, it does not address the immediate need for oxygenation in the case of unresponsiveness. Preventing drowning is related to a different set of interventions, primarily focused on water safety and rescue techniques rather than the act of breathing for an unresponsive individual. Reviving someone who has passed out is a broader term that can include various methods and does not explicitly focus on the critical need for oxygenation that rescue breathing provides in emergency situations.