In CPR, when should mouth-to-mouth ventilation be performed?

• A. Only if the rescuer feels comfortable and no other options are present.
• B. Always perform mouth-to-mouth during CPR.
• C. Never perform mouth-to-mouth; only chest compressions.
• D. Only with a barrier device.

Answer: (A)

Ventilations are part of CPR, but they’re conditional on the rescuer’s training and comfort level. You should provide breaths during CPR if you are trained and confident you can do it safely without interrupting chest compressions. If you’re not trained or you don’t feel comfortable with mouth-to-mouth, prioritize high-quality chest compressions (compression-only CPR). Mouth-to-mouth isn’t required for every responder, and safety matters—using a barrier device is recommended when available, but not mandatory in all situations. The option reflects that ventilation is appropriate when the rescuer feels comfortable and there aren’t obstacles to doing it safely, rather than a universal requirement.