Where should you place your hands to begin chest compressions?

Where should you place your hands to begin chest compressions?

• A. Center of the victim's chest
• B. On the left shoulder
• C. On the abdomen
• D. On the sternum near the collarbone

Answer: (A)

Place your hands on the center of the chest over the sternum, in the lower half. Position the heel of one hand on the center, place the other hand on top with fingers interlaced, and keep the arms straight with your shoulders over your hands. This spot ensures each compression directly deforms the chest to press the heart against the spine, driving blood flow with each push. Placing hands on the abdomen, the left shoulder, or near the collarbone would miss the heart and reduce effectiveness or risk injury.

Place your hands on the center of the chest over the sternum, in the lower half. Position the heel of one hand on the center, place the other hand on top with fingers interlaced, and keep the arms straight with your shoulders over your hands. This spot ensures each compression directly deforms the chest to press the heart against the spine, driving blood flow with each push. Placing hands on the abdomen, the left shoulder, or near the collarbone would miss the heart and reduce effectiveness or risk injury.