YMCA Basic Life Support (BLS) Training Practice Test 2025 – Your All-in-One Guide to Mastering BLS Certification!

A successful rescue breath is identified by the chest visibly rising and falling. This observable movement indicates that air is effectively entering and filling the lungs. When performing rescue breaths, the goal is to ensure adequate ventilation, allowing oxygen to reach the bloodstream. The rise and fall of the chest demonstrate that the air you are providing is not just going into the stomach but is actually reaching the lungs, which is essential for the person’s oxygenation and survival.

Other choices reflect different physiological responses but do not specifically confirm effective ventilation. Coughing can indicate airway irritation or a reflex being triggered, but it does not confirm that successful breaths were given. A whistle sound might occur due to air escaping, but it is not a reliable indicator of successful rescue breaths. An increase in heart rate could occur for a variety of reasons but does not directly indicate whether the breaths were successful or sufficient in restoring proper oxygen levels.