How long should you continue rescue breathing if the person is not revived after an overdose?

Continuing rescue breathing for 2-3 minutes is appropriate because in cases of overdose, individuals may need additional time to show signs of responsiveness, especially if they are experiencing respiratory depression. The goal of rescue breathing is to provide oxygen to the person's lungs and maintain some level of oxygenation to their vital organs while waiting for emergency services to arrive or for the individual to regain consciousness.

Typically, if the person shows no signs of life and does not respond after about 2-3 minutes, it becomes crucial to reassess the situation and potentially transition to CPR if there are no signs of recovery. The rationale behind this time frame is not only to allow for physiological recovery but also to minimize the potential for irreversible damage due to lack of oxygen.

Continuing rescue breathing for longer durations, such as 5 or 10 minutes, can be counterproductive if there is no response within a critical time frame, as it may delay other vital interventions. It's important to remember that the effectiveness of rescue breaths diminishes after a prolonged period without signs of responsiveness, which is why the 2-3 minute guideline is a balanced approach.