What is the recommended CPR compression-to-ventilation ratio?

What is the recommended CPR compression-to-ventilation ratio?

• A. 30 compressions for every 2 rescue breaths
• B. 15 compressions for every 5 breaths
• C. 50 compressions for every 5 breaths
• D. 100 compressions for every 2 breaths

Answer: (A)

In CPR, the goal is to keep blood flowing to the heart and brain with chest compressions, while periodically ventilating to supply oxygen. For adults, the standard cycle pairs a set sequence of compressions with a fixed amount of breaths: thirty compressions followed by two rescue breaths. This specific ratio strikes a balance between circulating blood effectively and providing sufficient oxygen, so perfusion to vital organs stays as stable as possible between breaths. Why this ratio works is that concentrating most of the cycle on chest compressions maintains perfusion pressures, which is crucial for organ perfusion, while the two breaths add just enough oxygenation without overly interrupting circulation. Ratios that call for many breaths with fewer compressions tend to interrupt blood flow too often, reducing the amount of blood that reaches the heart and brain. Conversely, ratios with too many compressions and too few breaths can limit oxygen delivery to the blood. The thirty-to-two pattern is the guideline-supported compromise that optimizes both circulation and oxygenation during the CPR cycle.

In CPR, the goal is to keep blood flowing to the heart and brain with chest compressions, while periodically ventilating to supply oxygen. For adults, the standard cycle pairs a set sequence of compressions with a fixed amount of breaths: thirty compressions followed by two rescue breaths. This specific ratio strikes a balance between circulating blood effectively and providing sufficient oxygen, so perfusion to vital organs stays as stable as possible between breaths.

Why this ratio works is that concentrating most of the cycle on chest compressions maintains perfusion pressures, which is crucial for organ perfusion, while the two breaths add just enough oxygenation without overly interrupting circulation. Ratios that call for many breaths with fewer compressions tend to interrupt blood flow too often, reducing the amount of blood that reaches the heart and brain. Conversely, ratios with too many compressions and too few breaths can limit oxygen delivery to the blood. The thirty-to-two pattern is the guideline-supported compromise that optimizes both circulation and oxygenation during the CPR cycle.