When performing rescue breathing for an adult, how often should you provide a ventilation?

Providing rescue breathing is a critical aspect of life-saving techniques, especially when an adult is not breathing but has a pulse. The correct frequency for delivering breaths is every 5 seconds. This interval allows for enough time between ventilations to ensure that each breath is effective, giving the lungs the opportunity to expand and allowing for adequate oxygenation.

When administered correctly, the breaths should be given gently to avoid over-inflation, which could lead to complications such as aspiration or barotrauma. During rescue breathing, the rescuer should ensure that the person receiving the breaths is positioned properly, with the airway opened, and that the breaths are visible in the chest rise.

Choosing a different frequency could result in ineffective ventilation. For example, if breaths are given too quickly, it may lead to inadequate oxygen delivery, whereas spaces of too long could extend the duration of hypoxia. Therefore, understanding the proper timing between rescue breaths is vital for improving the chances of survival until more advanced medical help can arrive.