What is the correct way to perform a child’s rescue breath if they are older?

The correct approach for performing rescue breaths on an older child involves sealing their mouth and delivering a breath until the chest rises slowly. This method is crucial because it ensures that the breath is effectively ventilating the lungs. The goal is to deliver a slow and controlled breath that allows for optimal gas exchange. When the chest rises slowly, it indicates that the air is entering the lungs rather than being forced in too quickly, which could lead to complications like gastric inflation or an inability to take further breaths.

Other methods listed are less effective or potentially harmful. Quick breaths may not provide enough air to adequately fill the lungs, and if the breaths are too forceful, it could cause complications. Closing the nose and breathing forcefully can also lead to improper ventilation techniques. While a bag-mask device is useful in many scenarios, it is typically preferred for trained responders and specific settings rather than for direct rescue breath delivery to a child in a basic life support scenario. Therefore, the method of sealing the mouth and delivering a measured breath is the most effective and safest way to perform rescue breaths on a child.