How Many Seconds to Take to Check Normal Breathing?

September 28, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the American Heart Association, a rapid check for breathing during an emergency should take no more than 10 seconds. This brief but crucial assessment determines the immediate course of action and is essential when asking the question, “how many seconds to take to check normal breathing?”.

Quick Summary

The duration for checking normal breathing depends on the situation: a quick emergency check is typically 5–10 seconds, while a standard medical assessment requires a full 60 seconds. Understanding this critical distinction can inform your actions and ensure an accurate reading, whether in a crisis or for general health monitoring.

Key Points

Emergency Check (5-10 Seconds): In a life-threatening situation, quickly assess for breathing for no more than 10 seconds to determine if CPR is needed.
Routine Check (60 Seconds): For an accurate resting respiratory rate, count breaths for a full minute to account for any irregularities in the breathing pattern.
Normal Adult Rate: A normal respiratory rate for an adult at rest is 12 to 20 breaths per minute, according to the American Lung Association.
Assessment Method: During a routine check, observe the chest's rise and fall discreetly for one minute while the person is at rest.
Breathing Characteristics: Pay attention to the rate, rhythm, effort, and depth of breathing, as well as any unusual sounds, as these can indicate health issues.

Understanding the Two Scenarios for Checking Breathing

How many seconds to take to check normal breathing is not a one-size-fits-all answer, but rather depends on the context: an emergency situation or a routine health check. The crucial difference between these two scenarios dictates the appropriate time frame. In a life-threatening emergency, speed is paramount, and a quick check informs the need for immediate action like CPR. For a standard health assessment, accuracy is the goal, and observing for a longer period is necessary to establish a reliable baseline measurement.

Emergency Assessment: The 5 to 10-Second Rule

In an emergency, such as finding an unresponsive person, the priority is to quickly determine if they are breathing. For this purpose, emergency first aid protocols, including guidelines for CPR, state that you should check for breathing for no more than 10 seconds. This rapid check helps you determine whether to call emergency services and begin CPR immediately.

To perform this fast check, follow these simple steps:

Look: Watch the person's chest and abdomen for any rise and fall.
Listen: Place your ear near their mouth and nose to listen for the sound of breathing.
Feel: Feel for breath on your cheek as you listen. If you are unsure after 10 seconds, assume the person is not breathing normally and proceed with emergency protocols.

Standard Assessment: The Full 60-Second Method

For an accurate respiratory rate, such as during a routine health check, a full 60 seconds is the standard duration. Observing for a complete minute helps account for any irregularities in breathing patterns, providing a more reliable count of breaths per minute (BPM).

Here’s how to do a full-minute check:

Ensure a relaxed state: Ask the person to sit or lie down comfortably. It's best to measure when they are unaware they are being observed, as they may unconsciously alter their breathing. A good trick is to measure their breathing immediately after checking their pulse, while still holding their wrist.
Observe the chest: Start a timer or watch a clock's second hand. Count how many times their chest or abdomen rises over one full minute.
Note characteristics: As you count, also observe the depth, rhythm, and effort of their breathing. Note if they are taking shallow, deep, or irregular breaths.

Normal Breathing vs. Abnormal Breathing

Understanding what constitutes normal breathing is just as important as knowing how to check for it. For an adult at rest, a normal respiratory rate is typically between 12 and 20 breaths per minute. Rates outside of this range can indicate an underlying health issue and should be monitored.


Breathing Characteristic	Normal Breathing	Abnormal Breathing
Rate (Adult at Rest)	12 to 20 breaths per minute	Under 12 or over 20 breaths per minute
Rhythm	Regular, with an even pattern	Irregular, erratic, or gasping
Effort	Effortless and quiet	Labored, noisy (wheezing or gurgling), or using accessory muscles
Depth	Consistent, moderate depth	Very shallow or excessively deep
Appearance	Invisible, minimal chest movement	Visible struggling, nasal flaring, or sweating

Factors Influencing Your Breathing Rate

Several factors can cause a temporary change in a person's respiratory rate, making it essential to measure at rest for an accurate reading.

Physical Activity: Exercise, even light exertion, increases your respiratory rate as your body demands more oxygen.
Emotional State: Stress, anxiety, and panic can cause hyperventilation, a rapid, shallow breathing pattern.
Fever or Illness: The body's need for oxygen increases during a fever or when fighting an illness, leading to a faster respiratory rate.
Medical Conditions: Underlying conditions, such as asthma or heart disease, can significantly affect breathing patterns.
Medications: Certain medications can alter a person's respiratory rate.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While occasional fluctuations in breathing are normal, persistent or sudden changes warrant attention. You should seek immediate medical help if someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally. For non-emergencies, consult a healthcare professional if you notice a consistently abnormal respiratory rate, or if you experience symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness, or chest pain. A detailed assessment from a medical professional is crucial for determining any underlying causes and receiving appropriate treatment.

In conclusion, the time it takes to check for normal breathing depends entirely on the situation. For emergencies, act quickly within 10 seconds. For a thorough health check, take a full minute to ensure accuracy. Being aware of these different approaches can empower you to respond effectively in any situation, ensuring the best possible outcome for yourself or someone else. For further information on first aid and safety, visit the American Red Cross website.

Frequently Asked Questions

To check for normal breathing in an emergency, look, listen, and feel for breath for no more than 10 seconds. Look for chest movement, listen for breath sounds near the mouth and nose, and feel for air on your cheek.

Limiting the emergency check to 10 seconds ensures a rapid assessment, allowing you to quickly determine if CPR is necessary. Delays can be critical in life-threatening situations.

For an accurate respiratory rate, count the number of times a person's chest rises over a full 60 seconds while they are at rest. This provides a more reliable measurement than a shorter observation period.

A normal resting respiratory rate for an adult is between 12 and 20 breaths per minute. Rates outside of this range may warrant medical attention if persistent.

Emotions do not change the time you should take to check for breathing, but anxiety or panic can increase a person's respiratory rate. This highlights the importance of checking the rate when the person is calm and at rest for an accurate baseline reading.

If an unresponsive person is not breathing normally (or only gasping), call emergency services immediately and begin CPR if you are trained and the situation is safe.

When checking breathing, you should also observe the rhythm, depth, and effort. Note if the breathing is shallow, labored, or accompanied by any sounds like wheezing or gurgling.