In which circumstance should rescue breathing be performed without chest compressions?

Rescue breathing should be performed without chest compressions in the situation where the patient has a pulse but is not breathing. This is crucial because the presence of a pulse indicates that the heart is still functioning, albeit the individual is not getting the oxygen they need due to ineffective or absent breathing. In this case, the primary goal is to provide adequate breaths to oxygenate the lungs while allowing the heart to continue pumping blood.

Performing chest compressions in this scenario might disrupt the heart's rhythm and is unnecessary since the heart is still beating. Therefore, the focus should be on providing rescue breaths to restore adequate oxygen levels in the body. The other scenarios provided do not align with this specific condition. For instance, the presence of a weak pulse requires a different response as it may need interventions that involve both breathing assistance and chest compressions.