Where should the heel of the hand be placed when performing adult compressions?

The heel of the hand should be placed on the lower half of the breastbone, also known as the sternum, when performing adult compressions. This positioning is crucial because it allows for effective force transmission to the heart. The lower half of the sternum is ideally located to create the maximum inward pressure needed to compress the heart, which aids in blood circulation during cardiac arrest. Proper hand placement ensures that compressions are delivered at an adequate depth and at the correct rate, which is vital for maintaining blood flow to vital organs.

In contrast, positioning the hands in the upper chest area or above the sternum would not effectively compress the heart due to the anatomical layout of the body, which could result in inadequate blood circulation. Placing the hands on the stomach is also ineffective since it does not engage the chest cavity where the heart is located. Therefore, correctly identifying the lower half of the breastbone as the appropriate compression site is essential for optimal performance during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).