How often should ventilations be delivered for an adult patient in respiratory arrest?

For an adult patient in respiratory arrest, ventilations should be delivered every 5 to 6 seconds. This timing allows for adequate ventilation and helps ensure that the patient receives sufficient oxygen without causing hyperventilation. During this interval, it is important to provide a breath that lasts about 1 second while also allowing for sufficient time for the chest to rise and fall between breaths. This method aligns with current guidelines for adult ventilation in cases of respiratory failure or arrest, ensuring that the patient receives the necessary support while also minimizing the risk of complications such as increased intrathoracic pressure, which can occur with too rapid a ventilation rate.

In this context, delivering breaths every 6 seconds provides a practical approach, offering a balance between timely intervention and preventing potential adverse effects from overly rapid ventilation.