What is the effect of administering rescue breathing incorrectly?

Administering rescue breathing incorrectly can lead to the victim not receiving adequate oxygen. This is critical because the primary goal of rescue breathing is to provide sufficient oxygen to the victim's lungs and, subsequently, to the bloodstream. If the technique is flawed—such as delivering breaths that are too forceful or too shallow—the air may not be effectively reaching the lungs.

Additionally, incorrect techniques may result in air entering the stomach instead of the lungs, which can lead to a further decrease in the amount of oxygen being delivered to the body. This lack of adequate oxygen can worsen the victim’s condition, making it essential that lifeguards and rescuers understand and apply proper rescue breathing methods.

While hyperventilation can occur if breaths are given too rapidly, the primary and immediate risk with incorrect technique is the failure to deliver sufficient oxygen.