Heartsaver AHA First Aid Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Prep

Rescue breaths should be given during adult CPR after a cycle of 30 chest compressions. This sequence of performing 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths is aligned with the guidelines established by the American Heart Association (AHA) for adults. The compressions help maintain blood flow to vital organs during cardiac arrest, while rescue breaths provide oxygen to the victim's lungs.

It's crucial to deliver these breaths effectively, ensuring a proper seal and letting the chest rise visibly with each breath. This combination of compressions and breaths maximizes the chance of restoring circulation and is critical, especially in situations where the victim's airway can be managed or when the rescuer is trained in ventilation techniques. If breaths are not provided, or if the person is not in respiratory distress (as in the case of an unconscious victim), the cycle would not function as intended, which diminishes the efficacy of the CPR being administered.