When giving first aid to a person, where must hands be applied during chest compressions?
Show the correct answer
Correct answer
C. In the center of the chest.
Explanation
In the photo a rescuer in a vest is standing over a woman lying on the ground and calling for help by phone. When performing resuscitation, you press on the centre of the chest - answer C.
The Road Traffic Act requires a person involved in an accident to give the necessary help to the victims, and the resuscitation guidelines indicate one place for compressions: the centre of the chest, that is the lower half of the breastbone. You place the heel of one hand there, the other hand on top of it, interlock your fingers and, with straight arms, press to a depth of 5-6 cm at a rate of 100-120 per minute, letting the chest rise fully after each compression. The heart lies under the breastbone at this point, and the pressure pushes blood from it to the brain. Pressing on the lower part of the chest (answer A) hits the xiphoid process and the liver, which risks damaging them; the upper part (answer B) is stiff ribs and collarbones, where the heart is not compressed. After 30 compressions you give 2 rescue breaths and return to compressions; if you do not want to give breaths, you press without a break. You swap with a second rescuer every 2 minutes, because effective compressions quickly make you tired.
Legal basis: Art. 44 para. 2 point 1 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym); Art. 162 § 1 of the Criminal Code