When should mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths be avoided?

Mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths should be avoided when there is a risk of infection because this method involves direct contact between the rescuer and the victim. If the victim is known to have a communicable disease, or if their mouth or facial area shows signs of illness, performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation could potentially transmit an infection to the rescuer. Proper precautions are critical to ensure the safety of both the victim and the rescuer, and this has become even more prominent in health and safety training due to concerns regarding transmissible diseases. In such scenarios, rescuers may consider alternative methods, such as using a barrier device or focusing solely on chest compressions if the situation allows. This aligns with the guidelines issued for conducting CPR effectively while minimizing risk to both parties involved.