How deep should chest thrusts be performed on an infant with an obstructed airway?

When performing chest thrusts on an infant with an obstructed airway, the correct depth for the thrusts is 1½ inches. This depth is crucial as it is aligned with the guidelines established for infant resuscitation, which emphasize the need for effective and safe thrusts to clear the airway without causing injury.

Chest thrusts are performed by positioning the infant face down along your forearm, supporting their head and neck, and using the heel of your hand to deliver thrusts to the middle of the infant's back or by turning them over and delivering thrusts to the sternum. By using a depth of 1½ inches, the thrusts are sufficient to create the necessary pressure to expel an obstruction, such as food or a small object, from the infant's airway while minimizing the risk of harm to their developing body.

Thrusts that are too shallow would likely be insufficient to dislodge the obstruction, while thrusts deeper than 1½ inches could pose a serious risk of injury, including potential damage to the lungs or ribs, which is especially concerning in a fragile infant. Thus, the depth of 1½ inches is both effective and safe, making it the appropriate choice in this emergency situation.