Describe the purpose of rescue breathing in CPR.

The purpose of rescue breathing in CPR is to provide oxygen to a victim who is not breathing. When an individual is unresponsive and not breathing, their body is deprived of necessary oxygen, which can lead to severe damage to vital organs and, ultimately, death if not addressed quickly.

Rescue breathing helps to deliver oxygen directly into the victim’s lungs, allowing it to flow into the bloodstream and reach vital organs. This intervention is critical when the heart is still beating, and the primary issue is difficulty in breathing.

While keeping a victim conscious and alert, helping them relax, or clearing their mouth from debris might be important aspects of a broader emergency response or first aid, they do not specifically address the immediate need for oxygenation that rescue breathing fulfills. Thus, ensuring the victim receives adequate oxygen through rescue breaths is the key function of this action in a CPR scenario.