What is the primary focus during early CPR?

The primary focus during early CPR is emphasizing high-quality chest compressions. Effective chest compressions are critical because they help maintain blood flow to vital organs, especially the brain and heart, during cardiac arrest. The compression rate and depth must be adequate to ensure that blood circulates effectively. High-quality compressions are typically performed at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute and at a depth of about 2 inches in adults.

Providing rescue breaths can be important in certain situations, particularly for children or victims of drowning, but in the context of adult cardiac arrest, the primary goal is to restore circulation through compressions. Checking for a pulse regularly can detract from the continuity of care and should not be a focus during the performance of CPR. Additionally, monitoring the victim's breathing pattern is less critical immediately after cardiac arrest because, in most cases, the person will not be breathing or will have an ineffective breath pattern. Therefore, concentrating on providing high-quality chest compressions is essential for improving the chances of survival.