How many chest compressions should a provider perform before delivering ventilations?

In the context of Basic Life Support (BLS) for adults, the recommended sequence for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is to perform 30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths. This ratio is crucial for maintaining circulation and oxygen delivery to vital organs during a cardiac arrest.

The 30 compressions aim to create an effective blood flow to the heart and brain, which is vital for survival until advanced medical help arrives. After delivering these compressions, giving 2 ventilations helps to provide the patient with oxygen, counteracting the effects of hypoxia that occur during cardiac arrest.

Understanding this sequence helps ensure that the compressions are frequent enough to maintain circulation while allowing adequate time for oxygenation with the ventilations. This method has been standardized to maximize the effectiveness of the resuscitation effort in an emergency scenario.