What should you allow to happen between the first and second breaths during CPR?

Allowing the chest to fall and the air to exit between the first and second breaths during CPR is essential for effective ventilation. When you provide the first breath, it inflates the lungs and fills them with oxygen. Allowing the chest to fall after this first breath enables the air to escape, which is critical because it helps to create an appropriate environment for the second breath. If you do not allow for this exhalation, the lungs may become over-inflated with air, which can reduce the effectiveness of subsequent breaths and limit oxygen delivery to the heart and vital organs.

In CPR, the process of ventilating the victim is meant to be rhythmic and calculated. By ensuring that the air has the opportunity to exit before the next breath, you are maximizing the volume of oxygen delivered with each breath and maintaining proper ventilation dynamics. Proper compression and ventilation rhythms contribute to the overall effectiveness of CPR, providing the best chance for the victim to regain circulation and adequate breathing.