in CPR, where is the appropriate compression sites for: a)adults b)child c)infant?

Answer 1

The official American Red Cross answer, as per the new ECC 2006 Guidelines is simple:

"In the middle of the chest."

With an infant, you use 2-3 fingers, a child 1 or 2 hands (depending on your relative sizes) and an adult is always 2 hands.

In the class, you would receive feedback form the instructor to make sure that you are in the right place- the basic idea is to get as low on the ribcage as possible without getting the Xyphoid Process (a spear of cartilege at the bottom of the ribcage).

If you are too high, the chest does not move. Too low and you hit the Xyphoid.

In the old classes, the process was:
Infants: Place one finger between the nipple line. Put down two fingers beside it (between the nipple line and bottom of the ribcage) and lift up the original finger.

Children and adults were to follow the line of the ribcage to where it meets, then go a finger's width above that.

This is all OK, but most people who are just told 'center of the chest' get to within an inch of the right place instantly. Now, all I need to do as an instructor is to tweak the few who miss.

Answer 2

The proper site for all three is right across the nipple line in the middle of the chest. You want to make sure though that you aren't too far down because you could break the xyphoid process. Use 2 hands for adults, one hand for a child and 2 fingers for an infant. If you do CPR correctly, you will break some ribs!

Answer 3

CPR compressions are to complicated to list here, You need to check with your local Red Cross chapter and sign up for a CPR class. You will find there is much more involved in learning CPR than just compressions. You can save a life, take a course.

Answer 4

I'm not giving that one. If you want to know CPR you definitely need to learn it, it isn't like the answer to a math problem.

Answer 5

I totally agree with Nike_Ginna. She knows what she's talking about. I am an emergency medical technician as well so believe me I know she's right.