How should you position your hands for adult chest compressions during CPR?

Positioning the hands correctly during adult chest compressions is crucial for effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The correct method involves placing your hands on the lower half of the sternum, which is the breastbone located in the center of the chest. By using the heel of one hand on the lower part of the sternum and interlocking the fingers of the other hand on top, you create a strong and stable structure that maximizes the force exerted on the chest while minimizing the risk of injury. This position allows for deeper compressions, which are essential for generating blood flow to the heart and brain during cardiac arrest.

Other positions, such as placing hands on the upper sternum or near the collarbone, are ineffective because they do not provide the necessary leverage or force needed for compressions, which should penetrate at least 2 inches into the chest. Positioning hands on the abdomen is inappropriate; compressions should not be administered there as it would not effectively circulate blood.