Basic CPR Instructions
When done correctly, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, better known as CPR, can save a life. It has been around for almost 300 years. CPR is used to help resuscitate people with heart failure, breathing problems, and those who may have water in their lungs from a near drowning. Rescue breathing and chest compressions are the two main components of CPR. According to Medline Plus, CPR is a critical part of first response to an emergency situation.
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Things You'll Need
- An Automated External Defibrillator (optional)
- CPR Shield or CPR Mask (optional)
Instructions
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1
Check for a response. Before administering CPR, gently shake the patient, and ask if the person can hear you. If there is no response, continue with the second step. If the person is choking or breathing erratically, this step is unnecessary.
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2
Tilt the head back, press the forehead down, lightly, and lift the chin with your two forefingers. Move in closely to the patient, and check for light breath against your cheek. If there is no breath, or if the patient is struggling for breath, begin rescue breathing.
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3
Cover the patient's mouth with your own, (after putting on your CPR mask or shield if you have one), and breathe into the patient's mouth twice. Each breath should make the patient's chest rise. Keep the patient's head tilted back and the chin lifted up while rescue breathing.
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4
Interlock your two hands together with palms facing toward the patient's chest. Place your hands in the center of the chest. Press down firmly with the heel of your open hand and release; compressing the patient's chest. According to MedlinePlus, the American Heart Association recommends 30 chest compressions at a time. The compressions should be hard and fast.
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Alternate two rescue breaths with 30 chest compressions until the person is breathing on their own or until help arrives. If available, use an AED after the first round of rescue breathing and compressions.
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Tips & Warnings
Using CPR masks or CPR shields are optional, however, when performing CPR on a stranger, it would be safer to use a safety device. According to the Mayo Clinic, chest compressions can be used alone as a form of CPR. The clinic suggests untrained individuals only do chest compressions. Trained individuals should administer both chest compressions and rescue breathing.
CPR for children and babies is different than CPR for adults. Take a child or infant CPR course if you regularly care for children.
References
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