Spanish Phrase
Haz respiraciones de rescate si sabes cómo.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to perform rescue breaths, but only if they are confident they know the correct technique. It stresses the importance of competence before acting in a life‑saving situation.
When to use
Use this phrase in first‑aid training, emergency‑response instructions, or when teaching CPR. It is appropriate in both formal classroom settings and informal conversations about safety.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Hazrespiracionesderescatesisabescómo
Imperative (Haz)
‘Haz’ is the informal affirmative imperative of ‘hacer’, used to give a direct command.
Noun phrase (respiraciones de rescate)
A compound noun meaning ‘rescue breaths’; ‘de rescate’ specifies the type of breaths.
Conditional clause (si…)
‘si’ introduces a condition; the verb in the clause stays in the present indicative.
Verb saber (sabes)
‘sabes’ is the second‑person singular present of ‘saber’, meaning ‘you know’.
Interrogative adverb (cómo)
‘cómo’ means ‘how’; in this context it functions as a noun phrase ‘how (to do it)’.
🗨In Conversation
¿Qué debo hacer si la persona no respira?
What should I do if the person isn’t breathing?
Haz respiraciones de rescate si sabes cómo.
Do rescue breaths if you know how.
✕Common Mistakes
Haces respiraciones de rescate si sabes cómo.
‘Haz’ is the correct imperative; ‘haces’ is the present indicative and does not give a command.
Si sabes cómo, haz respiraciones de rescate.
The condition must stay after the command; moving it before changes the meaning.
Haz resucitación si sabes cómo.
‘Resucitación’ refers to the whole process of reviving a person, not specifically the breaths.
↔Alternatives
Realiza respiraciones de rescate si sabes cómo.
Perform rescue breaths if you know how.
Aplica respiraciones de rescate si conoces el procedimiento.
Apply rescue breaths if you know the procedure.
Ejecuta respiraciones de rescate si sabes cómo hacerlo.
Execute rescue breaths if you know how to do it.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries the term ‘respiraciones de rescate’ is the standard wording used in CPR courses, while some regions may also hear ‘ventilaciones de rescate’. Keep the register slightly formal when giving medical instructions, especially in a classroom or professional setting.