Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving technique that is very useful in many emergency situations where breathing or heart arrest occurs. For example, when someone has a heart attack or nearly drowns. The Heart Association recommends starting CPR with firm and rapid pressure on the chest. Untrained bystanders and first responders can perform this hands-free CPR.
Without training. If you are not trained in CPR or are concerned about performing rescue breathing, you can perform hands-free CPR. This means constant chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute until paramedics arrive. See below for details. You do not need to attempt artificial respiration. Trained and ready. If you are well trained and confident in your abilities, check for pulse and breathing. If there is no pulse or breathing within 10 seconds, start chest compressions. To begin CPR, perform 30 chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths.
Trained but out of practice. If you have previously been trained in CPR but are not confident in your abilities, simply perform chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute. See below for details.
The above recommendations apply to situations where CPR is required for adults, children, and infants, but not for newborns. A newborn is a baby born within 4 weeks of birth.
CPR keeps oxygen-rich blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs until a normal heart rhythm can be restored with emergency medical treatment. When the heart stops beating, the body can't get oxygen-rich blood. Lack of oxygen-rich blood can cause brain damage in just a few minutes.
If you are not trained but can use the phone immediately, call emergency services before starting CPR. The dispatcher can tell you how to do it properly before help arrives. To learn CPR properly, take a certified first aid training course that includes CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). If you are afraid to perform CPR or are not sure how to do it properly, know that trying your best is better than doing nothing. The difference between doing something and not doing anything can be the difference between saving or losing a life.
Before starting CPR, check:Is the environment safe for patients?
Did the patient lose consciousness?
If the person seems unconscious, tap or shake the person on the shoulder and ask aloud, "Are you okay?"
If the patient is unresponsive and there is someone else with you who can help, have one person call 911 or the local emergency number and get an AED (if available). The other person starts CPR.
If you are alone but you have immediate access to the phone, call 911 or your local emergency number before starting CPR. If you have an AED, please bring it.
Use it as soon as you get the AED. If the device indicates that an electric shock is required, give one immediately; Then start CPR.
Remember to spell C-A-B chest compressions, open the pop-up dialog box, chest compressions
The airway is already open
The pop-up dialog box opens
Open airway
Artificial respiration
The pop-up dialog box opens
Artificial respiration
The Heart Association uses the letters C-A-B to help people remember the steps of CPR.
C: Press
A: Airway
B: Breathing
Pressure: Restore blood flow
Compressions are rapid, firm downward pressure on the patient's chest with both hands in a specific manner. Chest compressions are the most important step in CPR. Perform CPR by following these steps:
Lay the patient on his back on a hard flat surface.
Place the lower palm of one hand in the center of the patient's chest, between both nipples.
Place your other hand on top of the first. Keep your elbows straight. The shoulders are located directly above the hands.
Push your chest down vertically by at least 5 centimeters (2 inches), but no more than 6 centimeters (2.4 inches). Use the weight of your entire body when pressing, not just your arms.
Press hard at a rate of 100 to 120 times per minute. The Heart Association recommends chest compressions to the beat of the song Stayin' Alive. Let the chest bounce back after each squeeze.
If you are not CPR trained, continue to perform chest compressions until the person shows signs of movement or emergency personnel take over. If you have CPR training, you can then open the airway and perform rescue breathing.
Airway: Open the airway
If you have CPR training, you can open the patient's airway using the head lift after 30 chest compressions. Place your palm on the patient's forehead and gently press the head back. Then use the other hand to gently lift the lower jaw forward, thus opening the airway.
Breathing: Help the other person breathe
Artificial respiration can be mouth-to-mouth breathing; Mouth-to-nose breathing can also be performed if the other person's mouth is severely injured or unable to open. The current recommendation is to use a bag mask device with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter for artificial respiration. After opening the patient's airway (using the head lift method), pinch the patient's nostrils for mouth-to-mouth breathing, covering the patient's mouth with your mouth to form a seal. Prepare for two rescue breaths. Perform the first mouth-to-mouth breathing for one second to see if the patient's chest is bulging. If the chest bulges, give a second rescue. If there is no chest bulge, repeat the head lift and chin manipulation, and then give a second artificial respiration. 30 chest compressions plus two rescue breaths are counted as one cycle. Please note that the number of artificial breaths should not be too much, and the force of breathing should not be too large. Continue chest compressions to restore blood flow.
Once you get an automated external defibrillator (AED), use it and follow the instructions. A shock is administered, followed by continuous chest compressions for two minutes, followed by a second shock. If you have not been trained in the use of an AED, an emergency medical operator may be able to guide you. If there is no AED, proceed to step 7 below.
Continue CPR until the patient shows signs of movement or emergency personnel take over.
