External Chest Compression

An external chest compression is another treatment method of CPR. It provides artificial circulation. When you apply rhythmic pressure on the lower half of the victim's breastbone, you force the heart to pump blood.

To do external chest compression properly, kneel beside the victim's chest. With the middle and index fingers of your hand nearest the person's legs, find the notch where the bottom rims of the two halves of the rib cages meet in the middle of the chest. Now put the heel of one hand on the sternum (breastbone) next to the fingers that found the notch.

Put your other hand on top of the hand that's in position. Be sure to keep your fingers up off the chest wall. It may be easier to do this if you interlock your fingers.

Bring your shoulders directly over the victim's sternum and press down, keeping your arms straight. If the victim is an adult, depress the sternum about 1 1/2 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5 cm). Then completely relax the pressure on the sternum.


Don't remove your hands from the victim's sternum, but do let the chest rise to its normal position between compressions. Relaxation and compression should take equal amounts of time.

If you must give both rescue breathing and external chest compressions, the proper rate is 15 chest compressions to 2 breaths. You must compress at a rate of 80 to 100 times per minute.


If You Suspect a Neck Injury

If you suspect that the victim may have a neck injury (such as might occur in a diving or automobile accident, for example), you must open the airway differently, using a chin-lift without tilting the head. If the airway stays blocked, tilt the head slowly and gently until the airway is open.

If you suspect a neck injury, try to open the airway without tilting the head.