What should be the focus when performing CPR on an adult?

The focus when performing CPR on an adult is to provide both chest compressions and rescue breaths, as this combination is crucial for maintaining blood circulation and providing oxygen to the body's vital organs during cardiac arrest.

Chest compressions help to create artificial circulation by pumping blood through the heart and into the body. The recommended rate for compressions is 100 to 120 per minute, with a depth of at least two inches. This action is essential because it keeps blood flowing, especially to the brain and heart, which are most sensitive to oxygen deprivation.

Adding rescue breaths is equally important as they replenish oxygen in the lungs and help circulate it into the bloodstream. The standard recommendation is to deliver two rescue breaths after every 30 chest compressions. This combination maximizes the chances of survival until professional medical help arrives and increases the likelihood of a favorable outcome.

The guidelines for CPR emphasize that both components—compressions and breaths—work together to increase overall effectiveness. While certain situations may dictate a focus solely on compressions, such as when trained rescuers are not available or in specific contexts like untrained bystanders performing CPR, the most comprehensive and effective approach for adults under typical conditions remains the dual focus of chest compressions and rescue breaths.