What is the first step in giving rescue breaths?

The correct first step in giving rescue breaths is to pinch the nose and seal the mouth. This action ensures that the air you are trying to deliver to the person’s lungs does not escape through the nose. By pinching the nose, you create a closed system that directs the air into the person’s mouth and subsequently into the lungs, making the rescue breath more effective.

The sealing of the mouth is crucial as it establishes an airtight connection between the rescuer and the victim, allowing for the forceful delivery of air that is necessary to provide adequate ventilation. This method is particularly important in situations where the airway needs to be protected from passive inhalation of air from the environment or during other interventions.

The other options, while important to know, do not represent the immediate first step when delivering rescue breaths. Checking for breathing is an essential part of the assessment but typically occurs before initiating rescue breaths or compressions. Starting chest compressions would be part of CPR for an unresponsive individual without a pulse or abnormal breathing, and blowing air into just the nose would not achieve effective ventilation.