What is the recommended chest recoil after each compression?

• A. Partial recoil after each compression
• B. No recoil
• C. Complete chest recoil after each compression
• D. Recoil only after every other compression

Answer: (C)

Complete chest recoil after each compression is essential because CPR works in cycles of pushing blood out of the heart and then letting the heart fill again. When you press down, intrathoracic pressure rises and drives blood forward. For the heart to fill effectively, the chest must rebound fully to its normal position, creating the negative pressure that pulls blood back in and restores the pressures needed to perfuse the heart and brain. If you don’t allow full recoil, the heart stays partially compressed, venous return is reduced, stroke volume drops, and overall CPR effectiveness decreases. Recoil should occur with every compression, not only after some of them, and you should lift your hands completely off the chest between compressions to allow full recoil.