When using a bag-valve-mask to ventilate an apneic patient, how long should each breath be delivered over?

Delivering a breath for approximately 1 second while using a bag-valve-mask to ventilate an apneic patient is ideal because it allows for adequate inflation of the lungs without causing increased risk of complications such as excessive pressure or barotrauma. This duration is generally long enough to provide sufficient time for the lungs to fill with air and then allow for passive exhalation.

Ventilation with a bag-valve-mask should also aim to provide visible chest rise as an indicator of effective ventilation, which is more likely achieved with the 1-second breath duration. This time frame is aligned with the physiological capacity of the lungs and takes into account the need for adequate airway management, ensuring the patient receives adequate oxygenation and ventilation.

Other durations are less optimal; for instance, shorter breaths may not allow enough air to be delivered, while longer breaths could increase the risk of overinflation or discomfort, making 1 second the preferred time for effective ventilation.