From the Guidelines
To perform effective chest compressions on adults, place the heel of one hand on the center of the victim's chest (on the lower half of the sternum), with your other hand on top, interlocking your fingers, and compress the chest at least 2 inches (5 cm) deep at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute, as recommended by the 2020 American Heart Association guidelines 1.
Key Points for Chest Compressions
- Position yourself directly over the victim with your shoulders above your hands and arms straight.
- Compress the chest to a depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm) but avoid excessive chest compression depths (greater than 2.4 inches or 6 cm) 1.
- Allow complete chest recoil after each compression to enable the heart to refill with blood between compressions.
- Minimize interruptions and avoid leaning on the chest between compressions to maintain continuous blood flow.
- If performing CPR, deliver 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths, and continue this cycle until emergency help arrives or the person shows signs of life.
Importance of Proper Technique
Proper chest compressions are critical because they manually pump blood through the body, delivering oxygen to vital organs when the heart cannot do so effectively. The recommended depth and rate ensure adequate blood flow, while complete chest recoil allows the heart to refill with blood between compressions. Even if you cannot provide rescue breaths, remember that compression-only CPR is still beneficial and significantly better than no action at all, as supported by guidelines 1.
Additional Considerations
- It is reasonable for rescuers to perform chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120/min 1.
- In adult cardiac arrest, total preshock and postshock pauses in chest compressions should be as short as possible 1.
- For adults in cardiac arrest receiving CPR without an advanced airway, it is reasonable to pause compressions for less than 10 seconds to deliver 2 breaths 1.
From the Research
Proper Technique for Chest Compressions
The proper technique for performing chest compressions in adults is crucial for effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). According to the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines published in 2010, as mentioned in the study 2, effective chest compressions are one of the five major areas of therapy in patients with cardiac arrest.
Key Components of Chest Compressions
- The AHA guidelines emphasize the importance of immediate recognition and activation of the emergency response team, effective chest compressions, rapid defibrillation, effective advanced life support (ALS), and integrated postresuscitation care.
- However, the provided studies do not specifically outline the proper technique for chest compressions, but rather discuss various aspects of cardiac arrest resuscitation, such as the use of cardioactive medications 2, thrombolytic therapy during CPR 3, and the association between acetylsalicylic acid use and reduced risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest 4.
- Another study discusses the role of epinephrine in cardiac arrest resuscitation, highlighting the controversy surrounding its use 5.
Relevant Information
- While the studies do not provide a step-by-step guide on performing chest compressions, they emphasize the importance of effective CPR techniques in improving patient outcomes.
- The AHA guidelines, as mentioned in the study 2, suggest that effective chest compressions are a critical component of cardiac arrest resuscitation, but the specific technique is not described in the provided studies.