What should each breath given during CPR accomplish?

Each breath given during CPR should make the chest rise. This is a critical indicator that the breaths are effectively delivering air into the lungs. When performing rescue breaths, it is essential to ensure that air is entering the lungs, which will facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The sight of the chest rising confirms that the airway is open and that the ventilation is successful.

An effective breath should be sufficient to cause visible chest rise without over-inflating the lungs, which could lead to complications such as air entering the stomach or causing barotrauma. Observing the movement of the chest is a direct way to assess that the breaths are not only being given correctly but also that they are providing the necessary ventilation required in an emergency situation.