What piece of equipment is vital to PPD for both victim and rescuer when rescue breaths are being delivered?

The piece of equipment that is vital to personal protective devices (PPD) for both the victim and rescuer while delivering rescue breaths is the breathing barrier, which includes items like a rescue mask, bag-valve-mask (BVM), or face shield.

Using a breathing barrier is essential for several reasons. First, it helps to minimize the risk of disease transmission between the rescuer and the victim. These barriers create a physical separation that protects both parties from potential pathogens present in respiratory secretions.

Additionally, breathing barriers are designed to ensure that breaths delivered to the victim are effective. They often have one-way valves that allow air to flow into the victim while preventing exhaled air from passing back to the rescuer, enhancing the efficacy of the rescue breaths.

In emergencies, maintaining a clear airway and effective ventilation is crucial, and these devices support that goal. Items like the oxygen tank, CPR board, and rescue blanket, while potentially useful in other contexts, do not provide the same level of protection and effectiveness during the critical moment of delivering rescue breaths.