Cardiovascular engineering
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The objective of this study was to measure the force exerted by 83 trained CPR rescuers and 104 untrained adult laypersons (college students and staff). A bathroom scale was used to measure the force exerted by these subjects with their hands on the bathroom scale in the CPR position. ⋯ Of the trained rescuers, 60% pressed with more than 125 lbs, whereas only 37% of the laypersons pressed with more than 125 lbs. In view of the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines (2000) to depress the chest 1.5 to 2 inches, which requires 100-125 lbs, it would appear that most laypersons do not exert enough force for effective CPR.