What is the recommended ratio of compressions to breaths in traditional CPR for adults?

The recommended ratio of 30 compressions to 2 breaths in traditional CPR for adults is designed to optimize the effectiveness of the life-saving intervention. The emphasis on this ratio reflects the understanding of how the body responds to cardiac arrest and the need to maintain blood circulation through chest compressions, which are the priority in CPR.

By providing 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths, rescuers ensure that there is a sufficient number of compressions to circulate oxygenated blood to vital organs, primarily the brain and heart, before pausing for breaths. This balance helps in maximizing oxygen delivery while minimizing pauses in chest compressions, which can be detrimental to the patient’s survival chances.

In contexts like adult CPR, where time and efficiency are critical, this 30:2 ratio has been adopted as a standard in guidelines from organizations such as the American Heart Association.