When providing rescue breaths to a child or infant, how often should you deliver breaths?

When providing rescue breaths to a child or infant, delivering breaths every 2 to 3 seconds is appropriate because this allows for effective ventilation while maintaining an optimal rate of oxygen delivery. It is essential to ensure that breaths are given slowly and firmly to allow the lungs to inflate adequately without causing barotrauma or overinflation.

For infants and children, the slower rate helps to mimic the natural breathing pattern and reduces the risk of air getting into the stomach, which can lead to complications like vomiting or aspiration. This rate corresponds with the recommended guidelines for providing rescue breaths in pediatric advanced life support, ensuring that the child or infant receives enough oxygen to support their vital functions until advanced medical help arrives.

In contrast, faster or slower delivery rates would not provide the optimal balance of adequate oxygenation and minimization of ventilation-related risks. Hence, a breath every 2 to 3 seconds aligns well with best practices in pediatric resuscitation.