Final answer:
For CPR chest compressions on adults and children, place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest between the T4 and T9 vertebrae with the other hand on top; for infants, use two fingers. Push down at least 5 cm deep at a rhythm of 100 compressions per minute. Proper training is essential to avoid injuries and ensure effectiveness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Proper Hand Placement for CPR
To perform chest compressions during CPR, it's essential to place your hands correctly. For adults and children, use the heel of one hand with the other hand on top, interlocking the fingers. Position your hands at the center of the chest, on the sternum, between the nipples. Specifically, compression should be applied between the T4 and T9 vertebrae. For infants, use two fingers of one hand for chest compressions, placing them just below the nipple line in the center of the chest. While doing compressions, make sure to push the chest down at least 5 cm deep at a rate of 100 compressions per minute, which is the rhythm of the song “Staying Alive” by the Bee Gees. Remember, in order to avoid injuries such as broken ribs or damage to the liver, proper training is crucial. Training for CPR is available at various locations and is highly recommended for medical personnel as well as for the general public.
Proper training in CPR is vital because if done incorrectly, it can cause injuries like broken ribs or, if the hands are placed too low, damage to the liver. High-quality compressions are given priority over artificial respiration, aiming to maintain blood flow, especially to the brain where cell death can occur rapidly without oxygen. Chest compressions should be continued until professional help arrives or the patient recovers.