What is the correct hand placement for adult CPR?

The correct hand placement for adult CPR is with the heel of one hand positioned on the center of the chest, specifically on the lower half of the sternum. This placement is crucial because it allows for effective compression of the heart. When compressions are performed in this manner, the force is directed towards the heart, which helps to create adequate blood flow during cardiac arrest.

Placing the hands in the center of the chest also ensures that the rescuer can utilize their body weight effectively, which maximizes the effectiveness of each compression. Proper hand placement is essential to achieve the correct depth and rate of compressions that are necessary for maintaining perfusion to vital organs.

Other placements, such as the heel of one hand at the lower abdomen or at the shoulders, would not provide the necessary force required to compress the heart properly, nor would they create the needed pressure to circulate blood. Similarly, placing one hand on the forehead and the other on the chest distracts from the compression focus and can lead to ineffective resuscitation efforts.