{"id":10002,"date":"2018-08-23T17:05:02","date_gmt":"2018-08-23T21:05:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.protrainings.com\/blog\/?p=10002"},"modified":"2022-07-01T12:51:21","modified_gmt":"2022-07-01T16:51:21","slug":"cpr-chest-compression-rate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.procpr.org\/blog\/training\/cpr-chest-compression-rate","title":{"rendered":"Chest Compressions: At what rate do you perform CPR compressions?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since the 2015 CPR guideline update, the rate changed from 100 compressions per minute to 100-120 compressions per minute. It is the same for adults, children, and babies.<\/p>\n\n

100-120 compressions per minute.<\/h2>\n

If this seems like a fast pace, it’s because it is. You’ll be doing 1 to 2 compressions every second.<\/p>\n

Remember, the depth of compressions<\/a> on an adult is 2-2.4 inches with both hands. For a child, you’ll use one hand, and a baby you’ll use two fingers, and you’ll compress to only 1\/3 the depth of the chest.<\/p>\n

Metronomes can help keep the rhythm.<\/h2>\n

A study conducted in 2015 showed that when using a metronome alongside chest compressions, the compression rate was able to be better maintained than with those that didn’t use one. There are many Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) that have a metronome that beeps to the correct speed, to aid in chest compressions, and all training units should have one as well. We recommend that our instructors incorporate the use of a metronome in their classes as well.<\/p>\n

Keeping on pace with a metronome can also help with ventilation rate, as you’ll introduce oxygen at the same rhythm. You’ll also be able to pay attention to the depth of your compressions a bit better when you’re not also focusing on your speed.<\/p>\n

Music to help with the\u00a0compression rhythm.<\/h2>\n

If you want to be sure you’re doing chest compressions at the correct rate, find a song that has a beat that is somewhere within that range.<\/p>\n

A classic example is The BeeGee’s\u00a0Stayin’ Alive<\/em>, which is often played in CPR classes<\/a> to help people find the speed.\u00a0Stayin’ Alive<\/em>‘s tempo is 103 beats per minute, which is within the range that we need to hit. At the upper end of the spectrum is Lady Gaga’s\u00a0Just Dance<\/em>, which clocks in at 119 beats per minute. In the middle is Queen’s\u00a0Another One Bites the Dust<\/em> at 110 beats per minute, though that one is a bit macabre.<\/p>\n

A playlist of songs to learn CPR to:<\/h2>\n
    \n
  • “Stayin’ Alive” – Bee Gees – 103 BPM<\/li>\n
  • “Dancing Queen” – ABBA – 100 BPM<\/li>\n
  • “Cecilia” – Simon & Garfunkel – 102 BPM<\/li>\n
  • “Hard To Handle” – The Black Crowes – 104 BPM<\/li>\n
  • “Can’t Stop the Feeling” – Justin Timberlake – 113 BPM (This is an original song from the movie “Trolls”)<\/li>\n
  • “Rock Your Body” – Justin Timberlake – 100 BPM<\/li>\n
  • “I Will Survive” – Gloria Gaynor – 117 BPM<\/li>\n
  • “MMMBop” – Hanson – 104 BPM<\/li>\n
  • “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” – Cyndi Lauper – 120 BPM<\/li>\n
  • “Just Dance” – Lady Gaga, Colby O\u2019Donis – 119 BPM<\/li>\n
  • “Something Just Like This” – The Chainsmokers, Coldplay – 103 BPM<\/li>\n
  • “Rumour Has It” – Adele – 120 BPM<\/li>\n
  • “Fly” – Sugar Ray – 100 BPM<\/li>\n
  • “Hips Don\u2019t Lie” – Shakira – 100 BPM<\/li>\n
  • “Work It” – Missy Elliott – 102 BPM<\/li>\n
  • “Suddenly I See” – KT Tunstall – 100 BPM<\/li>\n
  • “Crazy” – Gnarls Barkley – 112 BPM<\/li>\n
  • “Man in the Mirror” – Michael Jackson – 100 BPM<\/li>\n
  • “One Week” – Barenaked Ladies – 113 BPM<\/li>\n
  • “The Imperial March” – John Williams – 103 BPM<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n