Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is a technique used to revive a person who has stopped
breathing or we can say that it is an emergency procedure whereby breathing is maintained artificially. Basically in this procedure the saver puts his/her mouth against the mouth of the victim and exhales air into their lungs forcibly, at intervals of several seconds. By this method one can prevent death or brain damage of the victim due to lack of oxygen.
One can never know when he or she needs to do mouth resuscitation, so it is better that you have some idea on how to perform it. Generally most of the people think that mouth to mouth resuscitation is similar to CPR. Its not true, it is only a part of CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and usually done when the victim has no breathing but the pulse is present.
Here I will try to provide you the step by step procedure of mouth to mouth resuscitation.
First of all make sure the persons air way is clear. Lay the person on flat surface then Look into the mouth and throat, if any obstacle is found, try to pull it out with your fingers. On the other hand if nothing is found, make sure the person which is already lying rolled onto his back has his or her head titled back slightly. Place your mouth tightly over the victim mouth and squeeze the patient nose with your fingers so that the nostrils are closed. Blow air into the mouth for at least 1 second. You must give two blows initially. There are different rates breaths per minute required when mouth to mouth resuscitation is being performed. For adult give at least 10-12 breaths per minute at the interval of 5-6 seconds and if victim is a child then give at least 12-20 breaths per minute at the interval of 3-5 seconds.
Now look the chest of the victim that it is rising and falling, to ensure your breaths are getting through. If the person does not start breathing on his or her own, repeat the procedure.
There are so many reasons which can stop breathing like heart attack, drowning etc. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation may well be a gift of life to one of your own family member or friend.