What is the ventilation frequency for adult patients during CPR?

The standard recommendation for ventilation frequency during CPR for adult patients is to provide one ventilation every 6 seconds. This rate is based on guidelines that aim to balance the need for sufficient oxygenation while minimizing interruptions to chest compressions. When a ventilation is given every 6 seconds, it amounts to about 10 ventilations per minute, which is sufficient to maintain oxygen levels without compromising effective blood circulation from compressions.

The timing is crucial in CPR because providing breaths too frequently can lead to hyperventilation, which can reduce the effectiveness of chest compressions and impair the return of blood flow to the heart. Therefore, adhering to this guideline helps ensure that both breaths and compressions are effectively delivered during resuscitation efforts.