Push at least 2 inches deep on the chest of an adult. Strong, firm compressions move blood the way the heart normally would.
Between 100–120 compressions per minute—quick enough to keep blood flowing and slow enough to maintain control.
Place your hands on the center of the chest. That position gives the most effective compression of the heart.
Use two hands stacked, elbows locked, pushing from your upper body—not just your arms.
Keep going. Ribs can crack during CPR, and it’s completely normal. Saving their life is the priority.
If trained, yes—30 compressions, 2 breaths. If not trained, hands only CPR is still extremely effective.
Trying—even imperfectly—is always better than freezing. Your action can be the reason someone survives.
Until EMS arrives, an AED tells you to stop, or the person wakes up and starts breathing normally.
