Ace the Basic Life Support (BLS) Challenge 2025 – Breathe Life into Your Skills!

The recommended rate for chest compressions in a 7-year-old patient in cardiac arrest is between 100 to 120 compressions per minute. This rate is effective for ensuring sufficient blood circulation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and aligns with guidelines that emphasize the importance of high-quality chest compressions.

The rationale for this compression rate is based on research indicating that compressions within this range optimize the chances of survival by maintaining adequate blood flow to vital organs. It is also important that compressions are deep enough (about 2 inches) and allow complete recoil after each compression to maximize blood refill to the heart between compressions.

Higher or lower rates may not provide the same effectiveness due to potential inadequacy in blood flow or exhaustion leading to poor-quality compressions. Therefore, sticking to the 100 to 120 compressions per minute is essential for achieving optimal outcomes during cardiac arrest situations.