With an advanced airway in place during two-rescuer CPR for an adult, breaths should be administered at a rate of one breath every 6 seconds, which equates to 10 breaths per minute. Importantly, chest compressions should be continuous without pausing for breaths when an advanced airway is used.
Key Points:
- With no advanced airway, the compression-to-breath ratio is 30 compressions to 2 breaths.
- Once an advanced airway (such as a supraglottic airway or endotracheal tube) is in place, provide one breath every 6 seconds (about 10 breaths per minute).
- Chest compressions should continue uninterrupted at a rate of 100-120 per minute during this time.
- Each breath should last about 1 second and be enough to make the chest rise.
This method improves oxygen delivery while minimizing interruptions to chest compressions, which is critical for effective CPR in adult patients with an advanced airway in place.
