During CPR for adults, how many compressions are performed before giving breaths?

The recommended practice for CPR on adults involves performing 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. This ratio of compressions to breaths is crucial because it ensures that the chest receives enough blood flow to vital organs, specifically the brain and heart, while also providing oxygen to the lungs.

The 30 compressions serve to maintain blood circulation, which is vital for an unresponsive patient experiencing cardiac arrest. Each compression helps to push blood out of the heart and into the systemic circulation, thus sustaining life until emergency help arrives. After the compressions, giving 2 rescue breaths allows for adequate oxygenation, which is essential since the person is not breathing on their own.

Other options, such as 15, 25, and 35 compressions, do not align with the established guidelines provided by organizations like the American Heart Association. These figures are less effective in ensuring adequate circulation and oxygenation during CPR, which is why the correct and accepted answer is to perform 30 compressions before giving breaths.