Paxton Patterson Emergency Medical Technician Practice Test

The key idea is keeping a steady chest compression cadence that maximizes blood flow during CPR. A rate of about one hundred to one hundred twenty compressions per minute provides enough frequent squeezes to push blood without moving so fast that depth and chest recoil suffer. If the tempo is too slow, less blood is circulated each minute; if it’s too fast, compressions may be shallow and recoil incomplete, reducing venous return and overall effectiveness. A practical tip is to use the rhythm of Stayin’ Alive, which sits around one hundred beats per minute, to stay in range. In practice, aim for 100–120 compressions per minute while maintaining adequate depth and minimizing pauses.