How many rescue breaths are given after 30 chest compressions in CPR?

In cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the recommended protocol for adults involves performing 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. This sequence is crucial because chest compressions help to maintain blood circulation, while rescue breaths provide oxygen to the lungs, ensuring that the vital organs receive oxygenated blood during cardiac arrest.

The rationale behind giving 2 breaths after every 30 compressions is based on established guidelines aimed at maximizing the effectiveness of CPR. This compression-to-breath ratio enables first responders to deliver high-quality CPR while also addressing the need for oxygenation in the absence of normal breathing. It ensures that the person in cardiac arrest receives both mechanical support through compressions and oxygen through rescue breaths, which increases the chances of survival until professional medical help arrives.

Providing only 1 breath would not adequately re-establish proper oxygen levels in the blood, while offering more than 2 breaths could lead to complications such as hyperventilation. This careful balance is part of why the protocol emphasizes 2 rescue breaths after the initial set of compressions.