What is the recommended interval for rescue breaths for a child?

The recommended interval for delivering rescue breaths to a child is indeed 1 breath every 3-5 seconds. This guideline is based on the need to provide adequate oxygenation while ensuring that breaths are not given too rapidly, which could lead to ineffective ventilation and increased risk of air entering the stomach instead of the lungs.

Delivering a breath every 3-5 seconds allows the rescuer to coordinate breathing effectively with compressions in the context of CPR. It is crucial to ensure that each breath is delivered over a duration of about 1 second, allowing for visible chest rise, which indicates that air is entering the lungs appropriately. Proper timing in this interval helps maintain sufficient circulation and oxygen delivery to vital organs, particularly in pediatric emergencies where physiological responses can differ significantly from adults.

This understanding aligns with the recommendations from CPR guidelines and enhances the effectiveness of resuscitation efforts by optimizing both the quantity and quality of breaths administered during an emergency.