When providing CPR to a child, how deep should the chest compressions be pushed?

When providing CPR to a child, chest compressions should be pushed down to a depth of about 2 inches. This depth is critical because it helps ensure that sufficient pressure is applied to effectively circulate oxygenated blood throughout the body, especially to vital organs like the brain and heart.

The goal of CPR is to mimic the heart’s pumping action, and this requires reaching the appropriate depth to produce the necessary blood flow. While the compression depth for adults is around 2 to 2.4 inches, for children, the recommendation is to push at a depth of 2 inches to maximize the chances of a successful outcome.

Understanding this guideline helps responders to deliver effective CPR, which can significantly improve the likelihood of survival for a child experiencing a cardiac arrest.