Written Lifeguarding Practice Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The ideal compression to breath ratio for adult CPR is 30 compressions to 2 breaths. This method is designed to maximize the effectiveness of cardiac compressions while ensuring that the victim receives adequate ventilation. The rationale behind this ratio is based on current guidelines that prioritize high-quality compressions to maintain blood flow to vital organs and provide a sufficient number of ventilations to address the lack of oxygen.

During CPR, the focus should be on performing compressions at a rate of about 100 to 120 per minute, with each compression allowing for complete chest recoil. Following this cycle of 30 compressions, the rescuer gives 2 rescue breaths, which helps to reintroduce oxygen into the lungs. This method maintains a beneficial balance between compressions and breaths, ensuring that oxygen is delivered to the bloodstream effectively while maintaining circulation through compressions.

This ratio is applied consistently in adult CPR scenarios, emphasizing the critical nature of responding swiftly with compressions and effective ventilations when confronting cardiac arrest situations.