When someone's heart suddenly stops, knowing how to perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) correctly can double or triple their chance of survival. This life-saving technique helps maintain vital blood flow to the brain and organs until professional help arrives. Here’s a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to performing CPR the right way.
1. Ensure Safety
Before approaching the person:
- Check your surroundings to ensure the area is safe for you and the victim.
2. Assess Responsiveness
- Gently shake or tap the person and shout, “Are you OK?”
- If there is no response: proceed to the next step.
3. Call for Help
- Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately, or ask someone nearby to do it.
- If available, retrieve an AED (Automated External Defibrillator).
4. Check for Breathing
- Place your ear near the person's mouth and look for chest movement or listen/feel for breaths for no more than 10 seconds.
- If the person is not breathing or only gasping, begin CPR.
5. Begin Chest Compressions
- Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest, between the nipples.
- Place your other hand on top and interlock your fingers.
- Position your shoulders directly over your hands.
- Push hard and fast:
- Depth: At least 2 inches (5 cm) for adults.
- Rate: 100–120 compressions per minute (follow the rhythm of "Stayin’ Alive" by Bee Gees).
- Allow the chest to fully rise between compressions.
- Do not stop compressions unless absolutely necessary (such as arriving help, exhaustion, or the victim shows clear signs of recovery).
6. Rescue Breaths (if trained)
If you are trained and able to give rescue breaths:
- After every 30 compressions, give 2 rescue breaths.
- Tilt the head back, lift the chin to open the airway.
- Pinch the nose shut, make a complete seal over the mouth, and blow for about 1 second—just enough to make the chest rise.
- Continue cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths.
If not trained, continue hands-only CPR (chest compressions only).
7. Use an AED (if available)
- Turn on the AED.
- Follow the voice prompts to attach pads and deliver the shock if advised.
- Resume CPR immediately after the shock and continue as instructed.
8. Continue Until Help Arrives
Keep performing CPR until:
- Emergency professionals arrive and take over.
- The person starts breathing or moving.
- You are unable to continue due to exhaustion.
Additional CPR Tips
- Performing CPR on children or infants requires modifications (e.g., using one hand or two fingers, shallower compression depth). See the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for details.
- Even if you are untrained, performing chest compressions is much better than doing nothing.
For more visuals and instructions, watch AHA's CPR training videos or enroll in a certified first aid class for hands-on practice.