Final answer:
The universal compression rate for cardiac arrest is 100 compressions per minute, at least 5 cm deep. Single rescuers use a 30:2 compression to ventilation ratio, whereas in two-rescuer CPR, the same ratio is applied but with a more continuous cycle and fewer interruptions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Universal Rate for Compressions in Cardiac Arrest
The universal rate for compressions in all cardiac arrest victims is to perform chest compressions at least 5 cm deep and at a rate of 100 compressions per minute. This rhythm is comparable to the beat of the song 'Staying Alive' by the Bee Gees. High-quality chest compressions are crucial for maintaining blood circulation, especially to the brain, to prevent irreversible damage and death of neurons that can occur within minutes of no blood flow.
Compression to Ventilation Ratio
For single rescuers providing CPR, the compression to ventilation ratio is recommended to be 30:2, which means performing 30 compressions followed by 2 ventilations. This ratio is designed to maximize the time spent on compressions while still providing intermittent breaths to the patient. In the case of two rescuers, they can coordinate to provide a more continuous cycle of compressions and ventilations, typically the same 30:2 ratio, but often with fewer interruptions due to one person focusing on compressions and the other on ventilations.