Depth of Compressions

During CPR, the rescuer performs chest compressions with their hands, and they use their mouths to push air into the victim’s lungs. How deep the chest compressions make a big difference in the survival rate for the victim. Each chest compression needs to be 5.5 centimeters or less to be the most effective. Compressions that are deeper than 5.5 centimeters possibly cause collaterals damages to other internal organs and impede the survival of the patient.

Compressions

People may not realize that in order to compress a human chest two inches, they will need to apply sixty pounds of pressure. People with a lot of strength in their forearms can easily apply too much pressure when they compress the chest and leave their patient with broken ribs, or other internal injuries.
That is why it is critical that people trained in CPR regularly practice their application of chest compressions, so they can keep an idea of how much force to apply.

How fast to apply chest compressions

In order for the patient to have the best chances of surviving their ordeal, and their CPR, you need to keep the number of chest compressions at 120 to 140 per minute. You do not want to go faster than one hundred and forty per minute’
One way to make sure that you are applying the appropriate number of chest compressions is to make compressions to the beat of the children song “row; row; row your boat, gently down the shore”. This should allow you to keep compressions close to the ultimate 120 per minute mark.

When to stop Chest compressions

When you arrive on a scene where someone needs CPR you need to do 2 things. You need to call 911 and get helped dispatched to you.
Then you need to start doing chest compressions and you need to continue to do those chest compressions until the other medical responders arrive and are able to relieve you. Do not do a few compressions and stop. Keep working until help arrives and then keep working until the paramedics tell you that they have it and you can stop.
The rate of survival for critical care patients who need CPR is determined by the quality of the CPR they receive. The better educated the first responder is, the more determined that responder is, the more likely the person will be resuscitated and survive the ordeal.

Learning CPR

CPR classes are given in most towns by the paramedics that work in the vicinity. They have the equipment and the training that it takes to teach people to perform CPR correctly.
Every person should learn to do CPR because you never know when CPR could mean the life or death difference for someone you love.