How can you tell if someone is breathing normally?

To determine if someone is breathing normally, the most effective method is to look, listen, and feel for breath for no more than 10 seconds. This approach allows you to assess multiple indicators of breathing: you can visually observe the rise and fall of the chest, listen for airflow sounds, and feel for breath on your cheek or hand. This brief assessment is vital in emergency situations, where rapid decision-making is crucial.

Asking the person to speak may not be reliable, as they might be unable to respond properly if experiencing respiratory distress. Checking for a pulse does not provide direct information about breathing and could lead to delays in proper assessment. Seeking a response from the person can be useful but does not specifically indicate their ability to breathe normally. Observing for breath is the most straightforward and immediate way to assess their respiratory status effectively.