During CPR, what depth should each chest compression be?

During CPR, what depth should each chest compression be?

• A. 1 inch (2.5 cm)
• B. 3 inches (7.5 cm)
• C. 2 inches (5 cm)
• D. 4 inches (10 cm)

Answer: (C)

During CPR, the goal is to squeeze enough blood out of the heart with each push to maintain circulation, without causing unnecessary injury. For adults, the recommended depth is about 2 inches (5 cm) per compression. This depth reliably generates blood flow to vital organs when combined with full chest recoil between compressions, and it avoids the increased risk of injury that comes with going much deeper. A shallow 1-inch compression tends to be ineffective at moving blood, while compressions around 3–4 inches are deeper than guidelines suggest and raise the chance of rib fractures or internal injury. So, 2 inches (5 cm) is the best target.

During CPR, the goal is to squeeze enough blood out of the heart with each push to maintain circulation, without causing unnecessary injury. For adults, the recommended depth is about 2 inches (5 cm) per compression. This depth reliably generates blood flow to vital organs when combined with full chest recoil between compressions, and it avoids the increased risk of injury that comes with going much deeper. A shallow 1-inch compression tends to be ineffective at moving blood, while compressions around 3–4 inches are deeper than guidelines suggest and raise the chance of rib fractures or internal injury. So, 2 inches (5 cm) is the best target.