Chest Compressions

Question 1

PPE

Answer 1

Hand sanitiser
Disposable gloves

Question 2

Indications

Answer 2

Patients with no apparent signs of
life

Question 3

Contraindications:

Answer 3

Patient whose condition is
unequivocally associated with death.
Massive cranial destruction
decomposition
incineration
hypostasis rigor mortis

Question 4

Consider

Answer 4

Patient has an advance decision to
refuse treatment (ADRT) or a
Recommended Summary Plan for
Emergency Care and Treatment
(ReSPECT) that applies to their
current clinical presentation.
Patient has a valid ‘do not attempt
cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(DNACPR) form.

Question 5

Prepare patient

Answer 5

Position patient supine with
adequate space surrounding them.
Expose patient’s chest.

Question 6

Position
rescuer

Answer 6

Position alongside patient, facing the chest.
If on the floor, kneel, stack hips over knees and shoulders over wrists so that hands can
be placed on the centre of the
patient’s chest.

Question 7

Position hands

Answer 7

Adults: Place heel of one hand in the middle of the lower half
of the sternum and the other hand
on top of the first, with fingers interlacing.
Children: As for adults, except use
only one hand.
Infants: Use two fingers or two
thumbs over lower half of sternum

Question 8

Apply compressions

Answer 8

Compress the chest one-third
anterior/posterior depth:
* adults and children – 5-6 cm
* infants – 4 cm.

Question 9

Compression
recoil

Answer 9

Release each compression and allow full recoil before
recompressing.
Maintain hand contact with the
chest without applying any pressure.

Question 10

Compression rate

Answer 10

Continue compression and recoil at
a rate of 100–120 per
minute.

Question 11

Alternate rescuers

Answer 11

Change rescuers every 2 minutes if
possible

Question 12

Minimise interruptions

Answer 12

Minimise interruptions to
compressions (<10 seconds when
necessary).

Question 13

Report

Answer 13

Document and hand over procedure and responses.