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©2013 UpToDate ® Print Email CPR position 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, stack your hands on top of one another with both palms facing down, and lock your fingers together. Holding your arms straight, press on the center of the victim's chest with the heel of your bottom hand. 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 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.