Ace the Basic Life Support (BLS) Challenge 2026 – Breathe Life into Your Skills!

The recommended ratio of compressions to breaths for adult CPR is 30:2. This means that for every 30 chest compressions delivered, there should be two rescue breaths. This ratio is designed to maximize the person's chance of survival by providing high-quality compressions, which are essential for maintaining blood circulation, while also ensuring that ventilation is provided to oxygenate the blood.

This ratio is particularly important for adult patients because it optimizes the balance between compressions and breaths, allowing for effective blood flow while also addressing the need for oxygen delivery. By adhering to the 30:2 ratio, CPR providers can maintain the effectiveness of their resuscitation efforts, especially in a situation where time is critical and the goal is to restore the patient’s circulation and oxygenation as quickly as possible.

The other ratios listed are not recommended because they either provide too few compressions per breath, compromising blood circulation, or are not established guidelines for adult CPR.