How to Check Respirations During CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) consists of two phase performed simultaneously, if possible: artificial circulation and artificial respiration. Its purpose is not to start the heart but to simply maintain the circulation of oxygenated blood until defibrillation and advanced life support can be performed by trained medical personnel. CPR must be initiated within seven minutes in order to be effective under most circumstances.

Instructions

• 1

  Follow the CPR guidelines taught in your CPR class. The International Resuscitation Councils published the most recent guidelines in 2005. This issue generally simplified the previous guidelines to make it easier for lay rescuers to perform.

• 2

  Use the absence of normal breathing as the signal to commence CPR. Previous issues of the International Resuscitation Councils guidelines recommended checking for signs of circulation, but it was decided that this step was too difficult, time-consuming and unreliable.

• 3

  Tilt the victim's head all the way back and clear the victim's throat of any obstructions. Pinch the nose shut and take a deep breath. Use your mouth to form a tight seal with the victim's mouth and exhale deeply.

• 4

  Execute 30 chest compressions followed by two respirations if you are performing CPR by yourself. Employ the universal compression-ventilation ratio of 30:2 for victims of all ages. This simplification is new with the 2005 guidelines, but there also other protocols, especially among health care professionals.

• 5

  Perform CPR with a partner if at all possible. This allows compressions to be performed continually without the interruption for respiration. Do one respiration for every 15 compressions.