Which of the following best describes 'compressions' in CPR?

Compressions in CPR are defined as the rhythmic pressing of the chest to maintain blood circulation. When someone's heart has stopped beating effectively, high-quality chest compressions help to manually pump blood through the heart and into the brain and vital organs. This action is critical because it provides the necessary oxygenation to those organs until advanced medical help arrives or until normal heart function can be restored. Effective compressions also help to maintain some degree of blood flow to vital tissues, significantly increasing the chances of survival and reducing the risk of brain damage in a patient experiencing cardiac arrest.

The key element here is the rhythm and depth of compressions, which adhere to specific guidelines, typically around 100 to 120 compressions per minute, at a depth of about 2 to 2.4 inches (5 to 6 cm), allowing full chest recoil between compressions to maximize blood flow. Understanding this allows responders to perform CPR effectively and efficiently, which directly correlates with improved outcomes for the patient.