CPR
10 Steps for CPR
Step 1
Survey the area. Although it is best to
begin CPR as quickly as possible, the person who is about to perform CPR needs
to ensure that he will be safe while performing the procedure. This may include
looking for traffic, fires or other potential dangers.
Step 2
Determine if CPR is necessary. Ask loudly
if the person who looks to be in trouble is OK or gently shake the person to
check responsiveness. Listen, look and feel for breathing. CPR is necessary
only when a person is not breathing or circulating blood adequately, explains
KidsHealth.org.
Step 3
Call 911. If two people are present, one
can begin CPR immediately while the other calls 911 for help. If only one
person is present, however, that person should call 911 before beginning CPR if
he has immediate access to a telephone or administer CPR for approximately 1 to
2 minutes and then call 911.
Step 4
Position the unresponsive person
appropriately. Place the person on her back on a firm surface, such as the
ground. Open her airway by lifting her chin and tilting her head
upward.
Step 5
Begin rescue breathing. Mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation in adults requires pinching the nostrils and giving two breaths
into the mouth, while mouth-to-nose rescue breathing in adults requires breaths
delivered through the nostrils. Mouth-to-nose rescue breathing is useful when
the mouth is injured or cannot be opened. If the victim is an infant, rescue
breathing can also be administered through the mouth and nostrils
simultaneously if the CPR performer's mouth is large enough to cover both. Give
one rescue breath and watch to see if the victim's chest rises. If it does,
give a second rescue breath. If the victim's chest doesn't rise, reposition the
head or check to see if something is blocking the air passage and try again.
Only trained professionals should attempt rescue breathing. Those uncomfortable
with their skills in this area may consider performing only chest compressions
until emergency help arrives, suggests the Mayo Clinic.
Step 6
Begin chest compressions. This should be
done only when the person is unconscious and does not have normal breathing,
coughing or movement, explains MedlinePlus. For adult patients, the person
performing the CPR should place the heel of her dominant hand between and
slightly below the victim's nipples, and place the other hand on top of that
hand. Position shoulders directly above the hands and keep arms straight. Use
body weight to push the chest down about 2 inches, and continue pushing at a
rate of 100 compressions a minute. For child patients, use a similar process
but use one hand to compress the chest about 1/3 to 1/2 of the depth of the
chest. For infants, two fingers should be used in lieu of hands and the
infant's chest should be pushed approximately 1/3 to 1/2 the depth of the
chest, according to the University of Maryland Medical
Center.
Step 7
Return to rescue breathing after
approximately 30 compressions. Give two more rescue breaths, then return to
perform 30 additional chest compressions. Repeat as
needed.
Step 8
Administer a shock to adult or child
patients using an automatic external defibrillator if possible. Those not
trained to use a defibrillator may receive instructions and guidance from a 911
operator. After administering one shock, resume chest compressions for 2
minutes before administering a second shock. Automatic external defibrillators
should not be used on children younger than 1, according to the Mayo
Clinic.
Step 9
Continue the CPR process until emergency
medical personnel arrives or until the victim regains consciousness or
movement.
Step 10
Provide information to the appropriate
health care professionals. Explain how the victim was found and how long the
CPR was performed, as well as any other information that may be relevant to
treatment.
Survey the area. Although it is best to
begin CPR as quickly as possible, the person who is about to perform CPR needs
to ensure that he will be safe while performing the procedure. This may include
looking for traffic, fires or other potential dangers.
Step 2
Determine if CPR is necessary. Ask loudly
if the person who looks to be in trouble is OK or gently shake the person to
check responsiveness. Listen, look and feel for breathing. CPR is necessary
only when a person is not breathing or circulating blood adequately, explains
KidsHealth.org.
Step 3
Call 911. If two people are present, one
can begin CPR immediately while the other calls 911 for help. If only one
person is present, however, that person should call 911 before beginning CPR if
he has immediate access to a telephone or administer CPR for approximately 1 to
2 minutes and then call 911.
Step 4
Position the unresponsive person
appropriately. Place the person on her back on a firm surface, such as the
ground. Open her airway by lifting her chin and tilting her head
upward.
Step 5
Begin rescue breathing. Mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation in adults requires pinching the nostrils and giving two breaths
into the mouth, while mouth-to-nose rescue breathing in adults requires breaths
delivered through the nostrils. Mouth-to-nose rescue breathing is useful when
the mouth is injured or cannot be opened. If the victim is an infant, rescue
breathing can also be administered through the mouth and nostrils
simultaneously if the CPR performer's mouth is large enough to cover both. Give
one rescue breath and watch to see if the victim's chest rises. If it does,
give a second rescue breath. If the victim's chest doesn't rise, reposition the
head or check to see if something is blocking the air passage and try again.
Only trained professionals should attempt rescue breathing. Those uncomfortable
with their skills in this area may consider performing only chest compressions
until emergency help arrives, suggests the Mayo Clinic.
Step 6
Begin chest compressions. This should be
done only when the person is unconscious and does not have normal breathing,
coughing or movement, explains MedlinePlus. For adult patients, the person
performing the CPR should place the heel of her dominant hand between and
slightly below the victim's nipples, and place the other hand on top of that
hand. Position shoulders directly above the hands and keep arms straight. Use
body weight to push the chest down about 2 inches, and continue pushing at a
rate of 100 compressions a minute. For child patients, use a similar process
but use one hand to compress the chest about 1/3 to 1/2 of the depth of the
chest. For infants, two fingers should be used in lieu of hands and the
infant's chest should be pushed approximately 1/3 to 1/2 the depth of the
chest, according to the University of Maryland Medical
Center.
Step 7
Return to rescue breathing after
approximately 30 compressions. Give two more rescue breaths, then return to
perform 30 additional chest compressions. Repeat as
needed.
Step 8
Administer a shock to adult or child
patients using an automatic external defibrillator if possible. Those not
trained to use a defibrillator may receive instructions and guidance from a 911
operator. After administering one shock, resume chest compressions for 2
minutes before administering a second shock. Automatic external defibrillators
should not be used on children younger than 1, according to the Mayo
Clinic.
Step 9
Continue the CPR process until emergency
medical personnel arrives or until the victim regains consciousness or
movement.
Step 10
Provide information to the appropriate
health care professionals. Explain how the victim was found and how long the
CPR was performed, as well as any other information that may be relevant to
treatment.
When do I stop CPR?
1. pt becomes concious
2. someone of equal/gereater training takes over
3. physically unable to continue
4. scene becomes unsafe
1. pt becomes concious
2. someone of equal/gereater training takes over
3. physically unable to continue
4. scene becomes unsafe