Question

Why is it important to place the heel of the hand one fingers width above the substernal notch before giving chest compressions?

Answer 1

So the heel of your hand is directly on the sternum and not on the xyphoid which may fracture if compressed upon and not on the abdomen which is soft and would not pump the heart.

Answer 2

So the heel of your hand is directly on the sternum and not on the xiphoid which may fracture if compressed upon and not on the abdomen which is soft and would not pump the heart.

Step-by-step explanation:
It minimizes the danger of applying pressure to the tip of the bone (xiphoid process) since it is often broken off simply. You need to generally break ribs to pump blood within the heart by doing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CC).