How often should you check for breathing during CPR?

When performing CPR, it is crucial to maintain a rhythm where heart compressions and rescue breaths are balanced effectively to maximize the chances of reviving the individual. The correct choice of checking for breathing after every 30 compressions aligns with the established CPR guidelines, which recommend a cycle of 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths in adult patients. This method allows for a clear and structured approach to CPR, enabling the responder to efficiently provide vital compressions while periodically assessing the effectiveness of the resuscitation efforts by checking for breathing.

Checking for breathing after every 30 compressions helps ensure that the rescuer remains focused on the compressions, which are essential for maintaining blood circulation, while also allowing timely reassessment of the victim's condition. If breathing is absent, the rescuer can address this promptly with rescue breaths, thus increasing the likelihood of sustaining life until professional medical assistance arrives.