In the context of basic life support, how many rescue breaths should be administered after 30 compressions?

In basic life support (BLS), the current guidelines recommend administering two rescue breaths after every 30 chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for adults. This ratio of 30:2 (30 compressions to 2 breaths) is designed to efficiently circulate oxygenated blood throughout the body while also providing ventilation.

Rescue breaths are essential to ensure that oxygen reaches the lungs and then to the bloodstream, particularly in cases of cardiac arrest where the airway may be obstructed or ineffective. Administering two breaths allows the healthcare provider or rescuer to give a sufficient amount of air to inflate the lungs without disrupting the critical compression cycle that maintains blood flow to vital organs.

Understanding this ratio makes it clear why two breaths are chosen; it strikes a balance between providing breath support and maintaining blood circulation through compressions.