Current American Heart Association CPR guidelines call for adult chest compressions at a rate of approximately:
Explanation
Current AHA Basic Life Support guidelines recommend chest compressions of at least 100 to 120 per minute for adults, at a depth of at least 2 inches but no more than 2.4 inches, allowing full chest recoil between compressions, and minimizing interruptions. The cadence matches the beat of songs such as 'Stayin' Alive.' Too slow (a, b) reduces perfusion; too fast (c) prevents full chest recoil and refilling. For untrained bystanders, hands-only CPR (continuous compressions without rescue breaths) is acceptable and effective.
Law Reference: American Heart Association (AHA) CPR Guidelines (current edition)This topic, taught in full in the California Guard Card (BSIS Security Guard) guide. California Guard Card — Complete Study Guide (2026) — PDF + EPUB, $9.99 · 14-day refund →
Practice all 200 questions free — no signup required.
Own the complete California Guard Card (BSIS Security Guard) guide — PDF + EPUB, $9.99 →
Related questions on this topic
- In a phased (rather than full) building evacuation, the typical pattern is:
- An officer finds an unresponsive person in a hallway. The first action under standard BSIS emergency procedures is:
- California Civil Code §1714.21 provides immunity for lay rescuers who use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). The immunity:
- A conscious adult is clutching their throat and unable to speak or cough. The trained first response is:
- For a victim with severe arterial bleeding from a limb that direct pressure cannot control, current bleeding-control guidance — popularized by the DHS-supported Stop the Bleed campaign — endorses:
- The 'FAST' mnemonic for recognizing a stroke stands for:
Last reviewed: · editorial process