Final answer:
To push hard and fast during adult CPR, compress the chest at least 5 cm deep at a rate of 100 compressions per minute.
Step-by-step explanation:
When performing adult CPR, the current standards recommend that you push down hard on the sternum, with the flat portion of one hand, to a depth of at least 5 centimeters (about 2 inches), and at a rate of 100 compressions per minute. This rate is comparable to the beat of the song "Staying Alive" by the Bee Gees. Proper hand placement for chest compressions is critical; it should be between the T4 and T9 thoracic vertebrae on the sternum to effectively compress the heart and push blood through the pulmonary and systemic circuits, which is vital for maintaining brain function. The primary focus during CPR is to deliver high-quality chest compressions to maintain blood flow, rather than providing artificial respiration, and it should continue until experienced healthcare professionals take over or the patient shows signs of regaining spontaneous circulation.