How to Use CPR on an Adult

You will learn how to use CPR on an Adult in five steps. Hopefully you will never have to use this information, but it is good to know and possibly save a life. I would recommend attending a training class taught by a certified CPR instructor. When attending a class you will get first hand experience practicing on a manikin. I am a Basic Life Support Instructor through the American Heart Association and these are the AHA guidelines. If it has been a couple of years since you learned CPR, some of the guidelines have changed for example the number of breaths to compressions is 2 breaths to 30 compressions.

Things You'll Need

• Phone to call 911

Instructions

1. Check for response. To check for response on an adult victim, you will tap them on their shoulders and ask, "Are you okay?" If no response, proceed to next step. If the victim responds, place them on their side and call the emergency response number (or 911) and wait until they arrive.

2. 

   Activate the emergency response number (or 911). If you are alone, you will need to call the emergency response number before you proceed with CPR. If not alone, tell someone else to call 911

3. 

   Open airway using the head tilt-chin lift and check for normal breathing. To open airway, you need to kneel beside the victim near the shoulders. Place palm of one hand on forehead and place two fingers of the other hand under the lower jaw to lift the chin. You will need to check for breathing about 5-10 seconds by looking to see if the chest rises, observe if you feel any breaths and listening to see if you hear the victim breathing. If breathing, turn victim on their side and wait for EMS to arrive. If not breathing proceed to next step.

4. 

   Give 2 breaths using the head tilt-chin lift and squeezing the victim's nose to deliver breaths. If the first breath does not allow the chest to rise, then reposition the head and give the second breath. After second attempt then check the pulse if you are trained, if not proceed to chest compressions.

5. 

   Give 30 chest compressions. Place the heel of one hand in the center of the chest, between the nipples, and place the other hand on top of the first hand. Give 30 compressions. Repeat sets of 30 compression and 2 breaths until help arrives. Now you know how to use CPR on an unconscious adult.

Tips & Warnings

• If possible, remove clothing before giving compressions.

• Compressions should be delivered hard and fast.

• Minimize interruptions in compressions.

• Use CPR on a hard, firm surface.

• Use an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) if available.

• If victim begins to breathe, then stop CPR and place victim on their side.

• Do not use CPR on a conscious victim.

Resources

• American Heart Association
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