In drowning, what is the recommended adult CPR compression-to-breath ratio?

• A. 15 compressions to 2 breaths
• B. 60 compressions to 2 breaths
• C. 30 compressions to 2 breaths
• D. 30 compressions to 1 breath

Answer: (C)

For an adult drowning victim, the recommended CPR compression-to-breath ratio is 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths. This balance prioritizes delivering enough blood flow through chest compressions while providing two ventilations to oxygenate the blood between circulations. In drowning, hypoxia is the primary issue, so keeping the cycle efficient—high-quality compressions with brief pauses for breaths—helps perfuse vital organs while delivering necessary oxygen. The option with 60 compressions to 2 breaths would shortchange ventilation, the 15:2 ratio is used for two rescuers performing CPR on children, and 30:1 would under-deliver ventilations. (If an advanced airway is in place, guidelines may shift to continuous compressions with a breath about every 6 seconds, but for standard single-rescuer adult CPR, 30:2 is the norm.)