Question

What is the normal resting rate of respiration?

Answer 1

`12-20` breaths per minute for a human adult.

Explanation:

The normal resting rates vary with age with babies having a much higher rate of respiration (`30-40` breaths per minute or even higher) and with the normal range expanding for the elderly (`10-30` breaths per minute).

For an adult, `12-20` breaths per minute is normal with slight fluctuations possible. A significant dip or rise is possibly indicative of respiratory distress or dysfunction.

In altered states of consciousness such as during meditation or certain yoga postures, the resting rate of respiration can drop below `12` without harm being caused.