What should be used to ensure a good seal when giving rescue breaths?

Using a bag-mask device is essential for ensuring a good seal when giving rescue breaths. This specialized equipment consists of a bag that can be squeezed to deliver air and a mask that fits over the patient's mouth and nose. The design of the bag-mask device allows for a secure fit, minimizing the risk of air leakage during breaths.

The device is specifically created to facilitate effective ventilation by creating a tight seal, which is critical in emergency situations where every breath counts. A proper seal ensures that the air delivered through the device enters the lungs, rather than escaping into the environment, making it a vital tool for maintaining adequate oxygenation in a patient who is not breathing.

While hand positioning is important for obtaining the right angle for the mask and for ensuring effective ventilation, it does not provide the necessary seal on its own. Surgical tape and compression pads do not serve the purpose of sealing the airway for rescue breaths and are not appropriate tools for this specific intervention.