CPR Chest Compression and Ventilation Ratio: Essential Guidelines for Rescuers

The correct ventilation rate for CPR in adults is one breath every 6 seconds or 10 breaths per minute when an advanced airway is in place. For those without an advanced airway, the recommended ratio is 2 breaths after every 30 chest compressions for adults. In children and infants, after 15 compressions, 2 breaths should be delivered in a 15:2 ratio if two rescuers are present. It is essential to ensure each breath lasts about 1 second, just enough to make the chest rise and avoid excessive ventilation to prevent complications.

30 Compressions to Two Ventilations (30:2)

If you are interested in learning CPR, take a CPR course. There is more to CPR than just knowing the compression/ventilation ratio.

Ventilation is No Longer Part of Basic CPR

In the case of more skilled professionals with advanced skills and equipment such as advanced airways, a bag and mask with oxygen, the usual ratio is 30 compressions to 2 inflations.

St. John Ambulance Modified DRSABCD Protocol Due to COVID-19

St. John Ambulance has modified the DRSABCD protocol due to COVID-19 to become compressions only CPR. The compression rate remains unchanged at 100 to 120 compressions per minute.

Recommended Compression-Ventilation Ratio for 2-Rescuer Adult CPR

The 30:2 ratio refers to the number of compressions (30) and breaths (2) in one cycle. The role of the second rescuer during the cycles of compressions to ventilation is to maintain an open airway and provide breaths.

Guidelines for Non-Healthcare Providers vs. Healthcare Providers

Speaking for adult and child cases:

If you are not a healthcare provider, you do chest compressions only. Healthcare providers should follow the ongoing 30 compressions, then 2 breaths until an advanced airway (e.g., intubation) is in place at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute. Ventilations should be at a rate of one breath about every 6 seconds. An exception would be a witnessed pediatric arrest in which there is more than one potential rescuer present. In that case, you can drop the ratio to 15:2—again until an advanced airway is in place. The 2020 AHA standards and these guidelines have not changed for some time.

Timing and Rhythm

Here are a couple of theme songs you can use for timing:

Staying Alive by The Bee Gees Another One Bites the Dust by Queen

The ratio of compressions to breaths is 30 to 2. The recommended compression rate is 100 to 120 compressions per minute. In one minute, you give 120 compressions (2–2.5 inches depressed chest) and you’ll give 8 breaths in that time, with 2 spaced by 30 compressions.

For more information and to take a CPR course, visit the Red Cross website.

Conclusion: Knowing the proper ratio of chest compressions to ventilation is crucial for effective CPR. With the help of reliable resources like CPR courses and songs for timing, you can save lives in an emergency.

Key Takeaways:

CPR ventilation rate for adults with advanced airway: 10 breaths per minute Without advanced airway: 2 breaths after 30 chest compressions 15:2 ratio for children and infants with 2 rescuers present

For further reading and learning, visit reputable organizations dedicated to CPR and first aid knowledge.