when giving chest compressions to an adult what is the correct compression depth to use

For an adult, the correct chest compression depth in CPR is about 2 to 2.4 inches, which is roughly 5 to 6 centimeters.

Quick Scoop: Correct Depth

• Adult compression depth:
  • Aim for 2–2.4 inches (5–6 cm) straight down on the center of the chest.

• This range comes from modern CPR guidelines that balance effective blood flow with the risk of injury like rib fractures.

Why That Depth Matters

• Compressions that are too shallow do not generate enough blood flow to the brain and heart, reducing the chance of survival.

• Going significantly deeper than about 6 cm increases the risk of injuries without clearly improving survival, which is why an upper limit of about 2.4 inches is recommended.

Other Key CPR Points (Adults)

• Compression rate: 100–120 compressions per minute while maintaining the 5–6 cm depth.

• Allow full chest recoil after each compression and minimize interruptions to keep blood moving effectively.

In simple terms: on an adult, push hard and fast in the center of the chest, about 2–2.4 inches deep, at 100–120 times a minute.

Bottom line / TL;DR: When giving chest compressions to an adult, use a depth of about 2–2.4 inches (5–6 cm) at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.