How long should you deliver a breath during CPR?

During CPR, delivering a breath should take approximately 1 second. This duration is recommended because it allows sufficient time for air to enter the lungs of the victim without causing excessive pressure, which can lead to complications such as gastric inflation. When providing rescue breaths, it's important to ensure that each breath is effective, which is assessed by observing the rise and fall of the chest. Taking about 1 second for each breath offers a balance that is neither too short, which may not adequately fill the lungs, nor too long, which could disrupt the flow of chest compressions and impede blood circulation to vital organs. Thus, the 1-second guideline helps maintain the rhythm of CPR while ensuring ventilation is effective.