For an unconscious adult 13 years and over who is choking, what is the recommended CPR cycle?

• A. 30 compressions, check for a foreign object, and give two rescue breaths; repeat until the object is cleared and breaths go in.
• B. 15 compressions followed by two breaths; repeat for two cycles.
• C. Two rescue breaths only until the object is expelled.
• D. Give five breaths, then five chest compressions; repeat.

Answer: (A)

When an unconscious adult who is choking, the priority is to keep blood flowing to vital organs while attempting to ventilate and clear the airway. The best sequence is 30 chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths, and between cycles quickly check for and remove any visible obstruction. You repeat this pattern until the object is cleared and breaths can go in, or until professional help arrives.

This approach works because chest compressions maintain perfusion to the heart and brain, while breaths deliver oxygen to the lungs. Checking the airway after compressions helps if the object is visible, so you can remove it without delaying circulation. The other options don’t follow the standard adult CPR ratio or omit essential chest compressions, which are crucial for an unconscious choking adult.