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Chest compressions: push hard and push fast

Updated September 28, 2015

The CPR mantra is “push hard and push fast.” But what is hard and what is fast?

Effective chest compressions are dependent on delivering at least 100 chest compressions per minute.

Use a metronome to know if you are doing 100 compressions per minute.

A metronome is a simple tempo device used by singers and musicians that clicks or beeps at a prescribed beats per minute. A small metronome can be packaged with your AED or code equipment.

Two online metronomes are available at webmetronome.com/ or www.metronomeonline.com/. You might even be able to load a metronome into your smart phone or PDA.

If you don’t have a metronome, try singing the famous Bee Gees song, “Stayin’ Alive,” as you compress. Barry and the boys are grooving at about 100 beats per minute.

Watch 50 responders began performing hands-only CPR on dummies in a city plaza to raise public awareness about the importance of knowing the life-saving skill

Greg Friese, MS, NRP, is the Lexipol Editorial Director, leading the efforts of the editorial team on Police1, FireRescue1, Corrections1 and EMS1. Greg served as the EMS1 editor-in-chief for five years. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master’s degree from the University of Idaho. He is an educator, author, national registry paramedic since 2005, and a long-distance runner. Greg was a 2010 recipient of the EMS 10 Award for innovation. He is also a three-time Jesse H. Neal award winner, the most prestigious award in specialized journalism, and the 2018 and 2020 Eddie Award winner for best Column/Blog. Connect with Greg on LinkedIn.