During CPR, how often should rescue breaths be administered?

The correct answer is that rescue breaths should be administered every 5 to 6 seconds during CPR. This timing allows for proper ventilation while also ensuring that chest compressions can continue with minimal interruption. The combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths aims to circulate oxygenated blood throughout the body, especially to vital organs.

In the context of adult CPR performed by trained rescuers, the recommended ratio after every 30 compressions is to provide 2 rescue breaths. If rescue breaths are given every 5 to 6 seconds, it ensures a sufficient amount of air exchange while allowing the rescuer to maintain an effective compression rate, which is critical for increasing the chances of survival in a cardiac arrest situation. Proper timing is essential for maximizing the effectiveness of CPR efforts.