What is the primary purpose of maintaining high-quality compressions during CPR?

Maintaining high-quality compressions during CPR is fundamentally aimed at ensuring adequate blood circulation. When a person suffers a cardiac arrest, their heart is no longer effectively pumping blood. High-quality chest compressions help to manually simulate the heart's pumping action, pushing blood filled with oxygen to vital organs, particularly the brain and heart itself. This circulation is crucial because it helps sustain the body's vital functions until advanced medical help can take over, or until the patient's heart can be revived.

Effective compressions should be performed at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute and to a depth of at least two inches for adults, allowing for full chest recoil between compressions. This technique maximizes blood flow and increases the chance of survival following cardiac arrest. It is essential for rescuers to focus on the quality and depth of compressions rather than solely the number of compressions, as poor quality can lead to insufficient blood flow and a lesser chance of successful resuscitation.