Would you do that?

[garciadiego]

If in a public situation and someone, a total stranger, is not breathing, it's a car accident, drowning, whatever, would you, no barrier device is availabe, do mouth to mouth? I have not been in thiis situation but I don't think I would.

[Mr. Murse]

I don't think there's a good blanket answer because each situation would be different. You could probably size the person and situation pretty quickly.......are they clean? are there any secretions coming from the nose or mouth? any open sores around the mouth? any blood? etc.

In general though, assuming that on assessment it's a clean and relatively healthy person, there's just such small chance of catching something, especially something that could kill you. If it seemed beneficial to give rescue breaths I would probably do it.