How Deep Should Chest Compressions Be for Effective Adult CPR?

Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency, and time is of the essence when a person is having one. Learning how to do CPR is vital and can make the difference between the life and death of a patient. But it’s not just about performing CPR—it’s about performing it properly. 

Are you aware that correct CPR may double or triple the chances of survival for a cardiac arrest patient? This is because CPR imitates the action of the heart. Thus, using chest compressions, you can maintain the blood flow. But to get those odds, we must perfect the technique, mainly how deep we press. 

Another important factor in proper CPR is the recommended depth of chest compressions. The pressure you apply on the chest is important in ensuring that blood supply is not cut off to the brain and heart during those first few minutes before experts arrive. 

In this blog, we will discuss all the essential information regarding chest compression rate for adults and compression depths with more related queries.

What is CPR Compression Depth?

CPR compression depth means how hard you should press down on the chest when performing CPR. This is important because adequate depth means enough blood will be supplied to the heart and the brain during cardiac arrest. 

For adults, the recommended depth of chest compression is about 2 to 2.4 inches (5 to 6 cm). This depth is ideal for generating the pressure to move blood through the body effectively. If the compressions are too shallow, they won’t be effective, and if they are too deep, they could cause injury. 

In infants and children, the recommended depth is different: about 1.5 inches (4 cm) for infants and 2 inches (5 cm) for children. Adjusting the depth based on the patient’s size is important to avoid harm while ensuring effective CPR.

One should note that a cardiac arrest and a heart attack are not the same. It is a condition whereby a person’s blood supply to the heart is blocked. A patient suffering from a heart attack does not need CPR, but the patient has to be rushed to the hospital immediately. But, this is not the same as a heart attack, and heart attacks certainly lead to cardiac arrest. 

Adult Compression Depth

According to the AHA guidelines of CPR released in 2015, the compression depth for adults has been raised from 2 to 2.4 inches. This is the recommended depth for adults irrespective of the patient’s gender, including male or female. 

Before 2015, the suggested compression depth was greater than it is now. However, the American Heart Association (AHA) warns that compressing the chest deeper than 2.4 inches could cause injuries related to resuscitation. To ensure that both the compression and decompression phases are balanced in timing, CPR should be performed at the advised rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.

How To Perform CPR With the Right CPR Compression Rate?

The quality of CPR is a key factor in determining whether a patient will survive cardiac arrest. However, delivering quality chest compressions is frequently inconsistent, tiring, and technically challenging. The American Heart Association (AHA) suggests several things:

• Begin the CPR with rapid and hard chest compressions. This applies to both first responders and untrained individuals when performing hands-only CPR.

• Minimize the interruptions in chest compressions.
• Change compressions every 2 minutes or less.
• If you’re trained in CPR, first check for a pulse and breathing before beginning CPR, which includes both chest compressions and rescue breaths.

It is still possible to do the chest compressions if you are not trained in CPR. Press the chest center as fast and hard as possible and for 100-120 times per minute. Ensure that the chest comes back to its initial position after each push. In these situations, you do not need to perform chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth breathing.

The American Heart Association (AHA) says that the chest compression rate for adults should be done to the beat of the song ‘Stayin’ Alive. Then, perform the chest compressions until the paramedics arrive or a person with proper training in CPR is found.

If you have had basic CPR training, begin the chest compressions if you cannot hear the person breathing or feel a pulse within 10 seconds. Perform 30 compressions, then give two rescue breaths to start CPR. Nonetheless, if you are certified in CPR but are not certain about your skills, just push at 100-120 times per minute.

How Deep Should CPR Compression Rate For Adults Be?

In CPR, the depth of chest compression is very vital. Prior studies have revealed that higher chest compression depth is associated with higher survival rates at hospital discharge.

The AHA focused on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients treated by emergency medical services. They calculated adjusted odds ratios for survival to hospital discharge, one-day survival, and return of spontaneous circulation. The study’s findings were that there is a correlation between the depth of chest compressions and the survival rate.

Factors affecting optimal depth

Several factors can affect the optimal CPR compression depth for adults. Ensuring the right depth is crucial for effective blood circulation and minimizing the risk of injury. Here are the key factors:

• Patient’s Body Age and Weight: The age and weight of the patient can also determine how hard and deep to press during the chest compression during CPR. For adults, you will want to use compression depths of 2 to 2.4 inches. However, when it comes to children, particularly infants, you need to go a little higher, with 2 inches for children and 1.5 inches for infants. 

• Surface Underneath the Patient: It matters what surface the patient is lying on. If they are on a hard and flat surface, then it is easier to achieve the proper compression depth. But if they’re on something soft, like a bed, some of your force might be absorbed which makes it difficult to push deep enough.
• CPR Technique: The way you perform CPR is important. The proper positioning of hands on the lower part of the chest bone and the right amount of pressure are crucial. If your hands slip or the pressure varies, then you may not compress the chest to the right depth that is required, and this is not good for CPR.
• Chest Recoil: After each compression, it is recommended to allow the chest to return to its normal position ultimately. This recoil allows the heart to fill with blood again to pump harder in the subsequent compression. If you do not allow full recoil, the heart cannot pump blood as effectively as it should, making CPR less effective.
• Chest Rigidity: Some people, particularly the elderly or those with specific conditions, may have more rigid chests. This can make it difficult to press down to the correct depth. It may require some more pressure but be gentle not to hurt anyone in the process.
• Rescuer Fatigue: CPR is not an easy task and one can become exhausted very soon. When you get tired, your compressions may not be as forceful as they should be, which is not ideal for the patient. That’s why it’s advised to take turns with another rescuer every few minutes to ensure that the compressions are done effectively.
• Underlying Health Conditions: If the patient has some medical conditions such as osteoporosis or has a history of chest injuries, then you should be careful with the pressure applied. On the one hand, you need to work deep enough to achieve the desired results, but on the other hand, you should not cause additional injury. All these factors are important in ensuring that quality care is given to the patient.

Impact of Correct Compression Depth on Recovery

The correct CPR depth is among the key factors that determine the outcome of a patient who has had a cardiac arrest. Here’s how maintaining the proper depth impacts the overall result:

• Effective Blood Circulation: Depth is adequate to apply compression to pump blood in the heart and other organs, sustain circulation and supply the brain and heart until assistance is received.
• Reduced Organ Damage: Deep compressions are useful in helping to avoid ischemic damage to the heart and the brain by maintaining perfusion pressure, thus reducing the chances of irreversible harm.
• Increased ROSC: Adequate depth increases the efficiency of compressions, allowing for a higher chance of ROSC and increasing the survival rates.
• Shorter Recovery Time: This is because effective compressions minimize the traumas; hence, the patient will recover quickly and with no complications.

Better Long-Term Outcomes: It has also been established that proper depth of CPR enhances the odds of having good neurological outcomes and lowers the risk of disability in the future.

Be Prepared and Make a Difference

Learning how to do CPR is not only a protocol but also an invaluable way of helping people in need of immediate assistance. Therefore, knowing the correct compression depth and rate you are likely to increase the survival rate of the person experiencing a cardiac arrest. 

Take the chance to get certified and ensure you are in the know; let us create safer societies and be prepared for disasters and other related events. Be equipped to respond to emergencies with confidence and skill.