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©2013 UpToDate ® Print Email One-handed chest compressions Pressing on the chest for CPR is called doing "compressions." To do compressions, make sure the victim is on a flat, solid surface. Then kneel over the victim and place the heel of 1 hand on the center of the victim's chest. Holding your arm straight, press on the chest. Use your body weight, rather than the strength of your arms, to press on the chest. Make sure the victim's chest drops down at least 2 inches (5 centimeters) under your weight with each push. Between compressions, lift all pressure off the victim's chest so that his or her chest goes back to where it was.