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Date Published: November 11, 2026
The term high-quality CPR is most commonly used in professional resuscitation training, including Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). These programs emphasize CPR performance standards that support effective resuscitation. The same core principles are also taught in CPR/AED training for other responders.
Chest compressions are the foundation of high-quality CPR. During cardiac arrest, the heart does not pump effectively, so blood flow to the brain and other vital organs drops or stops. Chest compressions continue circulation by repeatedly pressing and releasing the chest. Rescue breaths provide oxygen that the blood carries throughout the body.
Whether one rescuer or a team provides CPR, the goal remains the same. Proper, consistent technique keeps blood flowing and delivers oxygen until the heart pumps effectively again or advanced medical help arrives.
CPR quality depends on how well each component is performed. Compression rate, depth, recoil, interruptions and ventilations each affect the blood flow and oxygen delivered during cardiac arrest.
Perform chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute for adults, children and infants. The rate matters because chest compressions create blood flow during cardiac arrest. Compressions that are too slow may not move enough blood through the body. Going too fast can make it harder to reach the correct depth and allow full chest recoil.
Chest compressions must be deep enough to move blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The correct depth supports circulation during cardiac arrest. Compressions that are too shallow may not move enough blood to the brain and other vital organs.
Compression depth varies by age:
Body position impacts the ability to reach the correct compression depth. For adults, hands should be placed in the center of the chest with shoulders directly over hands and elbows locked. This position uses body weight to push straight down with enough force.
Children and infants need different compression techniques because their bodies are smaller. For a child, one or two hands in the center of the chest. For an infant, two encircling thumbs or the palm of one’s hand.
Full chest recoil refills the heart with blood between compressions. Without full chest recoil, each compression may move less blood through the body.
After each compression, allow the chest to return to its normal position. Avoid leaning on the chest between compressions. Keeping pressure on the chest prevents full recoil and reduces blood flow.
Interruptions in chest compressions stop the blood flow CPR creates. Frequent or long pauses reduce circulation to the brain and other vital organs, so keep interruptions as short as possible.
Some pauses are necessary. For example, you might stop compressions to set up and use an AED that analyzes the heart rhythm. If you are using an AED, resume compressions as soon as the device instructs you to do so.
Effective ventilations provide oxygen the blood carries to the brain and other vital organs. When CPR includes rescue breaths, air makes the chest rise. Each breath should last about one second.
Avoid giving breaths too quickly, forcefully or often. Excessive ventilation interferes with blood flow and reduces the effectiveness of CPR. Coordinate compressions and ventilations based on the number of rescuers and the equipment available.
High-quality CPR improves a person’s chance of surviving cardiac arrest. It limits the time the brain and other vital organs go without adequate blood and oxygen.
Early CPR is an important link in the Chain of Survival. This series of actions starts with recognizing cardiac arrest and activating the emergency response system. CPR and rapid use of an AED follow. Advanced resuscitation, post-cardiac arrest care and recovery continue the chain.
Each link builds on the one before it. Starting high-quality CPR quickly gives the person critical support while the next steps in care become available. Delays or poor-quality CPR reduce that support and affect the person’s chance of survival.
High-quality CPR is a foundational skill taught across multiple Red Cross training programs. The term is most commonly used in professional-level courses such as Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), where participants learn to deliver CPR with the correct compression rate, depth, recoil, ventilations and minimal interruptions.
BLS focuses on high-quality CPR, AED use and team response skills for adults, children and infants. ALS builds on those skills by integrating advanced interventions for adults while maintaining continuous, effective CPR. PALS applies the same principles to pediatric cardiac arrest and age-appropriate resuscitation techniques.
CPR/AED courses teach similar core CPR skills and AED use for workplace, community and home responders.
Training Services is a division of the American Red Cross. Our mission is to advance lifesaving education so you are better to prepared. Our robust training curriculum includes CPR and AED, First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Babysitting and Child Care, Lifeguarding, Water Safety and more.
