How to Perform CPR on an Adult

You never know when you will need to know how.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• A heart.

1. DISCERN SITUATION
   Attempt to wake the victim up. Briskly massage your knuckles against the victim's sternum. If the victim does not wake, call 911 and proceed to step 2.
   
   If the victim wakes, moans, or moves, then call 911 if the victim is confused or not able to speak or clearly injured.
2. RESCUE BREATHING
   Open his airway by tilting his head back and then place your ear on the victim's open mouth:
   o look for chest movement
   o listen for air flowing through the mouth or nose
   o feel for air on your cheek
   If there is no breathing, pinch the victim's nose then make a seal over the victim's mouth with yours. Breathe in while watching his chest rise and fall and then repeat.
3. CHEST COMPRESSIONS
   Place the heel of your hand in the middle of the victim's chest. Put your other hand on top of the first with your fingers interlaced. Compress the chest about 1-1/2 to 2 inches (4-5 cm). Allow the chest to completely recoil before the next compression. Compress the chest at a rate equal to 100/minute. Perform 30 compressions at this rate.
4. When finished with chest compressions, repeat steps 2 and 3 until help arrives.

Tips & Warnings

• If you cannot perform rescue breaths for any reason at minimum perform chest compressions!