From the Guidelines
The recommended rate for chest compressions during CPR is 100-120 compressions per minute. When performing CPR, you should push hard and fast on the center of the chest, allowing for complete chest recoil between compressions. This rate is crucial because it provides optimal blood flow to vital organs like the brain and heart during cardiac arrest. Compressions that are too slow won't generate sufficient blood flow, while compressions that are too fast don't allow enough time for the heart to refill between compressions, reducing overall effectiveness. According to the 2020 American Heart Association guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care 1, and the 2020 international consensus on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care science with treatment recommendations 1, a manual chest compression rate of 100 to 120/min is recommended. To maintain the proper rate, it can help to perform compressions to the rhythm of songs like "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees or "Baby Shark," which have beats that match the recommended rate. Remember that high-quality CPR also involves minimizing interruptions in compressions and ensuring adequate depth (about 2-2.4 inches or 5-6 cm in adults) as suggested by 1 and 1. If you're performing CPR, continue until emergency medical services arrive or the person shows signs of life.
Some key points to consider when performing CPR include:
- Maintaining a compression rate of 100-120 compressions per minute
- Ensuring adequate chest compression depth (about 2-2.4 inches or 5-6 cm in adults)
- Allowing complete chest recoil between compressions
- Minimizing interruptions in compressions
- Continuing CPR until emergency medical services arrive or the person shows signs of life.
It's essential to follow these guidelines to provide the best possible outcome for the patient, as supported by the highest quality evidence available 1.
From the Research
Compression Rate in CPR
- The recommended chest compression rate in CPR is between 100-120 compressions per minute, as stated in the ERC 2010 guidelines for adult and pediatric resuscitation 2.
- A study published in 2016 found that a compression rate of 120 min resulted in the highest number of high-quality CPR compressions, with increased incomplete recoil occurring at higher compression rates 3.
- Another study published in 2015 supported the recommendation of 120 compressions/min, as it provided qualified chest compression during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, with higher rates leading to deteriorated fractions of chest compressions with complete release and sufficient depth 4.
- The European Resuscitation Council guidelines for resuscitation 2010 also emphasize the importance of achieving quality compressions with a rate of at least 100 but not greater than 120 per minute, with minimal interruptions 5.
- Additionally, a study on CPR in dogs and cats recommended a frequency of 100-120 compressions per minute, highlighting the importance of consistent and high-quality chest compressions in CPR 6.