Artificial respiration must be started as soon as possible after normal breathing ceases. Most persons will die within 6 minutes or less if breathing stops completely unless they are given artificial respiration. Precious minutes may have passed before you get to the victim. Since the victim may be within seconds of death by the time you are able to touch his body, you should seek to obtain an air flow to and from the lungs immediately.
The victim may seem stiff as an effect of the current, so don't give up easily. Continue the procedure for several hours. If transportation is necessary, remember that there may be internal injury, fractures, or severe burns.
Mouth-To-Mouth Rescue Breathing
There are various effective ways to give artificial respiration, each with its advantages and disadvantages. The mouth-to-mouth method is recommended as a good one to master. It can be used on victims of drowning, suffocation, and asphyxiation, too. People have been known to save lives with less exposure to the correct procedure than you are getting by reading this. So, pay attention and remember what you read.
Step 1. Turn the victim on his back. Wipe out victim's mouth quickly. Turn his head to the side. Use your fingers to get rid of mucus, food, sand, and other matter.
Head Position
Step 2. Straighten victim's head and tilt back so that chin points up. Push or pull his jaw up into jutting out position to keep his tongue from blocking air passage. This position is essential for keeping the air passage open throughout the procedure.
Push Jaw Up