That statement is incorrect. In fact, the opposite is true:
One must allow complete chest recoil after each chest compression while giving CPR.
Let’s break down why that’s crucial.
Understanding Chest Recoil in CPR
During cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), high-quality chest compressions are vital for maintaining blood flow to the heart and brain. There are two key parts of each compression cycle:
- Compression Phase: You push down on the chest, squeezing the heart to push blood out.
- Recoil Phase: You let the chest return to its normal position, allowing the heart to refill with blood.
Why Complete Chest Recoil Is Essential:
1. Refilling the Heart:
- If you don’t let the chest fully recoil, the heart won’t refill properly.
- Without enough blood in the heart, the next compression won’t be effective in pumping blood to the body.
2. Generating Proper Blood Flow:
- Full recoil allows for negative pressure in the chest cavity, helping pull blood back into the heart.
- This is a key part of the circulation during CPR.
3. Preventing Fatigue & Ineffective CPR:
- Leaning on the chest between compressions (not allowing recoil) is a common mistake.
- It makes compressions less effective and tires the rescuer out faster.
Guidelines from the American Heart Association (AHA):
The AHA’s latest CPR guidelines emphasize:
- Push hard and fast (at least 2 inches deep at 100–120 compressions per minute).
- Allow complete chest recoil after each compression.
- Minimize interruptions in compressions.
Incomplete recoil can reduce coronary perfusion pressure and lower the chances of survival.
Corrected Statement:
“One must allow complete chest recoil after each chest compression while giving CPR.”
This allows the heart to fill with blood properly, maintaining effective circulation and increasing the chance of successful resuscitation.