How often should you check the breathing of an unconscious person in an emergency?

In an emergency situation involving an unconscious person, monitoring their breathing regularly is crucial to ensuring their safety. Checking the breathing every 5-10 minutes is appropriate because it allows you to quickly recognize any changes in their condition, especially since an unconscious person is at high risk for respiratory issues.

Breathing can deteriorate rapidly in someone who is unresponsive, so frequent checks enable you to detect any cessation of breath or irregularities that may require immediate intervention, such as calling for emergency help or providing rescue breaths if you are trained to do so. If longer intervals were used, such as 15 or 30 minutes, it could lead to a dangerous delay in response to a respiratory emergency. This frequency ensures that you remain aware of the person's state and can act promptly if their condition worsens.