When performing chest compressions, how should the responder position themselves?

Positioning the responder’s shoulders directly over their hands during chest compressions is crucial for generating effective force and ensuring proper technique. This alignment allows the responder to use their body weight effectively, delivering compressions that are deep enough to perfuse the heart and brain, which is essential for helping a patient in cardiac arrest.

Maintaining a straight line from the shoulders through the arms into the hands also ensures that the compressions are consistent and enables the responder to apply adequate pressure without tiring too quickly. Proper technique is key in maximizing the effectiveness of CPR and increasing the chances of survival for the patient.

Other positioning options may lead to ineffective compressions due to improper angles or insufficient depth. For example, elbows bent can limit the power of the compressions, and being above the patient's head is not anatomically ideal to facilitate strong compressions. Additionally, performing compressions while on a bed does not provide a stable or appropriate surface for effective CPR, which is generally best done on a firm, flat surface.