Easy CPR Instructions

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) can help restart the heart when there is no heartbeat. An individual with no heartbeat will sustain brain damage within 4 to 6 minutes, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), so it is imperative to act fast. CPR can keep blood and oxygen flowing to the brain and vital organs, which may prevent death or permanent damage when the heart stops. AHA estimates that 100,000 to 200,000 lives could be saved each year if CPR is begun early, and survival rates drop by 10 percent for every minute CPR is delayed, according to the Sarver Heart Center.

Instructions

Traditional CPR

• 1

  Check for responsiveness. If the victim is not responsive, have someone call 911. If there is no one else around, call 911 and report your emergency. You may find that putting your phone on speaker allows you to talk to and hear the EMS operator while you begin rescue measures.

• 2

  Check the airway and make sure there are no obstacles to impede the flow of air. Position the head so that the chin is lifted and the head is tilted back.

• 3

  Listen for breath sounds with your ear close to the mouth and watch the chest and abdomen for signs of breathing. If the victim is not breathing, make sure the airway is open and begin rescue breathing. Pinch the nostrils closed and breathe into the mouth. Give two slow breaths and watch for the chest to rise. If the chest does not rise, reposition the head and try again.

• 4

  Check for circulation. Use your finger and press gently about one inch off the center of the throat for the carotid pulse. If you don't feel a pulse, begin CPR.

• 5

  Lace one hand over the other and place the hands in the center of the chest at the nipple line. Place your body directly over your hands so your compressions will be straight down on the sternum. Lock the elbows and begin quick steady compressions that depress the chest between one and a half to two inches. Compress 15 times and give two breaths.

• 6

  Continue to provide CPR until help arrives or someone relieves you.

Chest Compression Only CPR

• 7

  Check for responsiveness as in Step 1 above. Alert 911 to the emergency.

• 8

  Position the airway so it is open. Check for breathing as described in Step 2 above.

• 9

  Check for a pulse as described in Step 4 above. If there is no pulse, begin compression only CPR.

• 10

  Position your hands as described in Step 4 above and begin quick, steady compressions at 100 compressions per minute. According to the Sarver Heart Center, compressions alone should provide sufficient blood flow to provide oxygen to the brain.

• 11

  Continue chest compressions until help arrives or someone relieves you.