What position should a child be in during rescue breaths?

When administering rescue breaths to a child, the ideal position is lying flat on their back. This positioning facilitates an unobstructed airway, which is crucial for effective ventilation. Laying the child flat allows for optimal alignment of the airway structures, making it easier to deliver breaths that effectively inflate the lungs.

In this position, you can also ensure that the head is properly tilted back to open the airway. This is important as any obstruction, such as the tongue, may impede airflow if the child is in a different position. Therefore, laying the child flat on their back is essential for providing life-saving rescue breaths effectively.

Using other positions, such as sitting upright, on their side, or standing, can compromise the ability to deliver effective rescue breaths and may lead to inadequate ventilation and oxygenation, which can be detrimental in an emergency situation.