How frequently should assisted ventilation be provided to a child?

Assisted ventilation for a child should be delivered every 3 to 5 seconds. This frequency allows for effective ventilation while ensuring that the child receives adequate oxygenation without causing overinflation of the lungs. Each ventilation should be gentle and concise, typically taking about one second to deliver, with a pause to allow for exhalation. Delivering breaths too quickly can result in complications such as air trapping, which can lead to barotrauma or decreased effectiveness in ventilation. Therefore, the timing of every 3 to 5 seconds strikes a balance between providing necessary breaths and preventing potential harm, making this approach the most effective for managing breathing emergencies in children.