All investigated transport ventilators were able to provide alveolar ventilation even though chest compressions considerably decreased tidal volumes. Our results support the concept of using ventilators to avoid excessive ventilatory rates in CPR.

A three-period crossover study with three common transport ventilators in a cadaver model of CPR was carried out. The three ventilators ‘MEDUMAT Standard’, ‘Oxylog 3000 plus’, and ‘Monnal T60’ represent three different interventions, providing volume-controlled continuous mandatory ventilation (VC-CMV) via an endotracheal tube with a tidal volume of 6 mL/kg predicted body weight.

This experimental study suggests that healthcare professionals should carefully monitor actual tidal volumes to recognise the occurrence of hypoventilation during continuous chest compressions.

Overall median deviation of net tidal volume from predetermined tidal volume was − 21.2 % (IQR: 19.6, range: [− 87.9 %; 25.8 %]) corresponding to a tidal volume of 4.75 mL/kg predicted body weight (IQR: 1.2, range: [0.7; 7.6]).

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