What is the CPR ratio for adults?

• A. 30 compressions, 2 breaths
• B. 15 compressions, 2 breaths
• C. 50 compressions, 5 breaths
• D. 30 breaths, 2 compressions

Answer: (A)

In adult CPR, you follow a cycle of 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. This ratio balances generating blood flow with providing oxygen, helping keep vital organs perfused while you ventilate. The compressions should be at a rate about 100–120 per minute and depth about 2 inches (5 cm) for an adult, with each of the two breaths lasting around 1 second and producing visible chest rise. If two rescuers are present, the ratio stays 30:2, but you switch about every 2 minutes to reduce fatigue. The other options don’t fit this standard: 15:2 is a ratio used for some pediatric situations, not adults; 50:5 isn’t a recognized CPR ratio; and inserting breaths before compressions would interrupt circulation and isn’t the recommended sequence for adults.