Where should you aim for chest thrusts on a patient?

Aiming for the lower half of the sternum during chest thrusts is crucial for effectively generating the necessary pressure to relieve airway obstruction. This area of the sternum is where the force can be applied most effectively to compress the heart and create an artificial airflow through the lungs. It allows for deeper thrusts that can help expel any object obstructing the airway.

Chest thrusts are typically used in scenarios involving a severely choking adult or child who cannot cough, speak, or breathe. Applying thrusts too high on the sternum, between the ribs, or near the collarbone can lead to ineffective results and even cause injury to the ribcage or surrounding areas. Thus, accurately targeting the lower half of the sternum ensures a safer and more efficient execution of the maneuver, improving the likelihood of dislodging the obstructing object.