How should hands be positioned for effective CPR?

For effective CPR, the hands should be positioned on the center of the chest, specifically on the lower half of the sternum. This placement is crucial because it allows for the most effective compressions, ensuring that the chest can compress and rebound properly to facilitate blood circulation.

When the hands are properly placed on the chest center, the force of the compressions is directed towards the heart, significantly enhancing the chances of maintaining blood flow to vital organs, particularly the brain. Proper hand placement also helps to establish a consistent rhythm and depth of compressions, which is key to the efficacy of CPR.

In contrast, placing the hands on the abdomen, shoulders, or neck would not provide the necessary force and direction needed for effective chest compressions. The abdomen does not aid in circulating blood effectively during CPR, while the shoulders and neck do not provide a suitable surface for delivering compressions that will generate enough pressure to assist in resuscitation.