Final answer:
CPR involves chest compressions at a rate of at least 100 per minute to manually pump blood when the heart stops, with correct technique being crucial to avoid injury. Proper training and certification are essential for effective administration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Importance of Correct CPR Technique
When the heart stops, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a critical emergency procedure that can sustain life by manually pumping blood through the body. The technique involves applying pressure to the sternum between the lines at T4 and T9 to compress the heart and push blood into the systemic and pulmonary circuits. High-quality chest compressions are more important than artificial respiration, with a targeted depth of at least 5 cm and a rate of at least 100 compressions per minute. This rate aligns with the beat of the song 'Staying Alive' by the Bee Gees. However, incorrect hand placement or excessive force can lead to severe injuries such as broken ribs or damage to the liver. Thus, proper training and certification are paramount for safe and effective CPR administration.
Risks and Proper Training for Performing CPR
Untrained individuals may cause harm while performing CPR, including broken ribs or inadvertently driving the xiphoid process into the liver, potentially resulting in a fatal outcome. As such, thorough training and certification are essential, emphasizing the proper technique and hand placement on the sternum. Various institutions, such as colleges and hospitals, provide CPR training courses. These courses include practice on a mannequin, allowing individuals to learn the technique correctly.