How often should rescue breaths be administered to an adult?

Rescue breaths for an adult should be administered at a rate of 1 breath every 5-6 seconds. This rhythm ensures that the individual receives sufficient oxygen while avoiding hyperventilation, which can lead to complications such as increased intrathoracic pressure and impaired blood flow. The timing of 5-6 seconds allows for a controlled delivery of oxygen, based on the physiological needs of an adult during breath support, particularly in situations like cardiac arrest or respiratory distress.

Maintaining this rate is crucial, as any deviation from it can result in either insufficient oxygenation—if breaths are given too infrequently—or respiratory distress and declining effectiveness of the breaths—if given too frequently. In the context of emergency response, following established guidelines is essential for providing optimal care.