How to Do CPR: Essential Steps Everyone Should Know

Only a person who is well-trained in CPR should perform CPR

When someone’s heart stops beating, CPR can increase their chances of surviving. It keeps their blood flowing until healthcare professionals arrive.

In emergencies, you can perform CPR steps even without first aid training.

Here are a few CPR steps everyone should know.

What is CPR?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a first aid method that can be used on a person who is not breathing properly or if their heart has stopped. 

Now, first aid is often associated with doctors and nursing assistants. However, you do not need to be a healthcare professional to perform it. Many CPR training programs help you learn how to give basic first aid.

When to Perform CPR?

CPR consists of chest compressions and rescue breathing that increase the circulation of blood and oxygen in the body. That can protect the brain and keep the patient’s vital organs alive.

You need to start performing CPR as soon as possible if the patient is not breathing, is not responding to you, or is unconscious.

Before you Perform CPR

Before you perform CPR, you need to determine whether the patient needs it.

• Do shake and shout. Grasp the patient by the shoulders and gently shake them. Call them by their name and shout “Wake Up.” Repeat the process for a few seconds to determine whether the person is conscious.
• Next, if the patient cannot wake up, seek help. If you are not alone, send someone to call 911. Ask them to come back and confirm that the call has been made.
• Finally, check for the patient’s breathing while waiting for healthcare professionals. Tilt their head back and observe their breathing function. If the patient does not take a breath in less than 10 seconds, start performing CPR.

Performing Hands-Only CPR

In the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, there is still enough oxygen in the patient’s lungs and bloodstream. By performing chest compressions on a patient can help them send oxygen to their brain and heart without any delay.

Here are a few essential steps to providing hands-only CPR:

• Place the patient on their back and kneel beside them.
• Locate the position of your hands. 

If the patient is an adult, place the heel of your hand on the lower half of the breastbone. Place your other hand on the top of the first hand and interlock your fingers. 

For children under the age of eight, use one hand and press in the center of their chest. 

If the patient is an infant, use just two fingers and press slightly below the nipple line.

• Begin compressions

To begin compressions on adult patients, use your upper body to push down on their chest at least two inches. Perform about 100-120 compressions per minute. 

For kids from ages 1-8, push straight down on their chest about 2 inches. Perform approximately 100-120 compressions per minute. 

Finally, for infants, push straight down on their chest 1 ½ inches. Perform 100-120 compressions per minute.

• Keep Performing Compressions

Repeat the compression cycle until the patient starts to breathe or the ambulance arrives. If they begin to breathe, place them on their side and wait for medical professionals. 

Doing Mouth-To-Mouth Resuscitation

To reduce the risk of potential injuries, only those trained in CPR should perform rescue breathing. Therefore, if you have undergone the CPR training program, here are a few steps to take:

• Open the airway.

Put the palm of your hand on the patient’s forehead and tilt their head back. Then, gently lift their chin forward with your other hand.

For kids from age 1-8, tilting their head should be enough to open the airway..

• Perform rescue breaths.

Once the airway is open, pinch the nostrils shut and cover the patient’s mouth with a CPR face mask to make a seal. 

For infants, cover both mouth and nose with the mask. 

If you do not have the mask, cover the person’s mouth with yours.

Give two rescue breaths. Each should last about one second. 

Watch for the patient’s chest to rise with each breath. If that did not work, reposition the face mask and try again.

• Combine rescue breathing with chest compressions

Alternate 30 compressions with two rescue breaths until the patient starts breathing or medical help arrives.

CPR Saves Lives

CPR training saves lives. However, emergencies do not wait for first aid education. Sometimes, you need to act fast to save someone’s life. The tips provided above may help you understand the basics of CPR. 

Eve Anderson is a marketing specialist turned blogger. Interested in sports and exciting travel destinations. Love to share content that can inform people.