If you do feel ribs break, you should ensure your hands are in the correct position in the middle of the chest and carry on. Rib fractures can be treated after the event, however cardiac arrest is not survivable without CPR. read more
The rib cage is designed to protect the heart and lungs from any external impact. In performing CPR, you have to overcome the protective design of the ribcage; consequently, the ribs, the sternum, or the cartilage that holds the ribs to the sternum will be damaged. read more
Dr. Michael Sayre, a spokesperson for the American Heart Association and a professor at the University of Washington in Seattle, said broken ribs are to be expected when doing CPR and the worry of causing a break shouldn’t deter people from helping someone in cardiac arrest. read more
Chest compressions need to be performed at a depth of about 2 inches in order to do the patient any good—in adult patients, of course. read more