What is the significance of compressing hard and fast during CPR?

Compressing hard and fast during CPR is crucial because it ensures adequate blood flow to vital organs. When a person’s heart stops beating effectively, blood circulation ceases, and the body's organs, particularly the brain and heart, become starved of oxygen. Forming proper compression technique—delivering compressions at a depth of at least two inches and at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute—helps create artificial circulation by pushing blood through the heart and into the rest of the body.

This rhythm and force are essential for delivering enough pressure to maintain blood flow to critical organs. Without adequate blood flow, there is a high risk of irreversible damage to tissues. Thus, the primary goal of effective CPR is to sustain life by maintaining oxygenation and perfusion until professional medical help can take over. Adequate depth and rate of compressions directly correlate to how well oxygenated blood can reach these vital areas, making this element of CPR indispensable.