The 2025 adult BLS take-home messages reinforce that when ventilating an adult in cardiac arrest, rescuers should give enough tidal volume to produce visible chest rise while avoiding both hypoventilation and hyperventilation. The goal is controlled, effective ventilation rather than forceful or excessive breaths.

This point is easy to overlook, but it matters. Too much ventilation can be harmful, and too little ventilation can also reduce the quality of care. The AHA’s wording puts the focus back on practical observation: visible chest rise is the target, not oversized breaths or rushed bagging.

References
American Heart Association. Part 7: Adult Basic Life Support.