How to Perform CPR

CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a technique that is vital in many emergencies, including heart attack, drowning, or when the person is showing no signs of life. CPR in some cases doubles if not triples the person’s chances of survival. The American Heart Association uses the letters C-A-B to help people remember the steps of CPR.

C- Compressions: Restore the blood circulation

This is the first step to performing CPR.

1. Start by putting the person on his or her back on a firm surface
2. Kneel next to the person
3. Position both hands in the center of the person’s chest and keep your elbows straight
4. Use your upper body weight and your arms to push straight down (compress) on the chest at a push rate of 100-120 compression per minute

A-Airway: Open the airway

This is the second step to performing a CPR. After performing 30 chest compressions, open the person’s mouth using the ‘head tilt-chin lift maneuver.‘ Gently tilt the person’s head back and with the other hand, gently lift the chin forward to open the airway.

B-Breathing: Breath to the person

This is the third step in the guide to perform CPR. You can breathe eighter to the person’s mouth, or nose if the mouth is injured.

1. Pinch the nostrils shut and cover the person’s mouth with your, making a seal
2. Give the person 2 breaths. Give the first breaths, lasting one second, and see if the person’s chest rises. If it does then give the second if it doesn’t then repeat step 1 and 2.
3. Repeat chest compression

Remembering this can help save a life during a cardiac emergency. However, even after training, performing CPR correctly can be a tough challenge. In any situation that requires CPR, we’ve compiled a few steps for you to perform before giving a CPR.

Before Giving CPR

1. Asses the situation, and check if the person is okay or needs help. Make sure that the scene is safe and proceed to check if the person is okay by a gentle touch on the shoulder and shout “Are you Okay?” to get a better understanding if the person needs help or not.
2. Call 911 for help if the person needs it. If there is a bystander, ask him to call for you while you stand by the person. Have someone get an AED (automated external defibrillator). If there is no AED, then proceed with calling 911.
3. Then start performing step 2 of C-A-B
4. Perform step 3 of C-A-B

Performing CPR on a child

There might be a situation where the person in need is a child. Although performing CPR on a 1-year-old child through puberty is mostly the same as regular CPR for adults, there are a few things to consider and here is what experts from Precare say:

1. 1. Check to see if the child is conscious or not. Make sure that the child is in a safe area and ask the child if he is okay
   2. Check the child’s breathing. Check for any signs of breathing, if there aren’t any then
   3. Begin chest compressions. Be gentle but not too gentle. A child is smaller than an adult, but he still needs at least 2 inches of pressing down. After that do 30 chest compressions at a 100 per minute rate
   4. Do rescue breathing. Give the child two breaths, this step is the same as adult CPR, and each breath should take one second.
   5. Repeat compressions and rescue breathing if the child is still not showing signs of life
   6. Use an AED as soon as there is one available

Remember these steps as it can save a child’s life.