When ventilating an adult casualty, how often should you provide normal ventilations?

When ventilating an adult casualty, how often should you provide normal ventilations?

• A. Every two seconds
• B. Every five to six seconds
• C. Every ten seconds
• D. Every thirty seconds

Answer: (B)

During adult CPR, ventilations should be delivered about every five to six seconds. That works out to roughly 10–12 breaths per minute. This pace provides enough oxygen to the lungs without overinflating the chest, which can raise intrathoracic pressure and hinder venous return to the heart. It also reduces the risk of gastric inflation and vomiting from excessive air in the stomach. Breathing much faster (every two seconds) can lead to hyperventilation and its complications, while breathing too slowly (every ten or thirty seconds) would under-ventilate and fail to meet the body's oxygen needs during resuscitation.

During adult CPR, ventilations should be delivered about every five to six seconds. That works out to roughly 10–12 breaths per minute. This pace provides enough oxygen to the lungs without overinflating the chest, which can raise intrathoracic pressure and hinder venous return to the heart. It also reduces the risk of gastric inflation and vomiting from excessive air in the stomach.

Breathing much faster (every two seconds) can lead to hyperventilation and its complications, while breathing too slowly (every ten or thirty seconds) would under-ventilate and fail to meet the body's oxygen needs during resuscitation.