If a person has a pulse but is not breathing, what should be done?

When a person has a pulse but is not breathing, providing rescue breaths is the appropriate response. Administering breaths every 6 seconds allows for a consistent and effective method of improving oxygenation until normal breathing resumes or medical help arrives. This approach helps maintain adequate oxygen levels in the body since the individual is unable to breathe on their own.

The rhythm of giving breaths every 6 seconds keeps the airway open and ensures that oxygen is being delivered to the lungs. Checking the pulse every 2 seconds is not necessary in this context, as the presence of a pulse indicates that the heart is still functioning. The emphasis here is on maintaining the person's oxygenation through effective ventilation.

Other methods, such as performing continuous chest compressions, would be inappropriate since there is already a detectable pulse. Leaving the person to find help is also not advisable because immediate action is required to assist the individual in restoring normal breathing. Monitoring for signs of consciousness may be relevant in broader care but is not the primary intervention when faced with a pulse-less individual.