What is the compression to ventilation ratio for adults when there is 1 rescuer present?

The compression to ventilation ratio for adults with one rescuer present is established as 30:2. This means that for every 30 chest compressions administered, the rescuer should provide 2 rescue breaths. This ratio is designed to optimize the effectiveness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in adults, striking a balance between maintaining blood circulation through compressions and providing oxygen through ventilations.

The 30:2 ratio follows guidelines set by organizations such as the American Heart Association, which emphasize the importance of high-quality compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. The 2 rescue breaths allow for a brief period to deliver oxygen to the lungs, which is crucial for patients who are not breathing adequately.

This ratio differs when there are two rescuers present, where the compression to ventilation ratio adjusts to 15:2, enabling more frequent ventilation. Other options like 20:1 or 10:1 are not standard practice and do not align with the guidelines for adult CPR, which focus on effective circulation and oxygenation during resuscitation efforts.