What does 'ventilation' refer to in the context of CPR?

In the context of CPR, 'ventilation' specifically refers to the act of delivering breaths to a patient. This process is crucial when performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, particularly in cases where the patient is not breathing adequately or at all. During CPR, effective ventilation involves using either mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing or a bag-mask device to provide oxygen to the lungs, ensuring that vital organs receive sufficient oxygenated blood.

This aspect of CPR is essential because, without oxygen delivery, the brain and other organs can quickly become damaged due to hypoxia. Ventilation is one component of restoring normal respiratory function and plays a vital role alongside chest compressions, which help establish circulation.