What signs indicate the need for rescue breathing?

The need for rescue breathing is indicated by signs such as apnea, unresponsiveness, or inadequate breathing effort. When an individual is not breathing at all (apnea) or is unresponsive (indicating a severe impairment of consciousness or airway management), immediate intervention is critical. Inadequate breathing effort refers to situations where the person may be breathing, but not effectively enough to sustain adequate oxygenation — for instance, very shallow or gasping breaths. In such cases, rescue breathing can be life-saving as it provides the necessary oxygen to the individual until further medical assistance is available or normal breathing is restored.

Other signs like coughing and wheezing, chest pain and anxiety, or rapid breathing with confusion could suggest respiratory distress or other medical emergencies but do not directly indicate the immediate need for rescue breathing. These conditions may require different interventions or management strategies rather than the urgent need for ventilation support.