How to Perform Basic Life Support

Having a little knowledge can sometimes make the difference between life and death. This is especially true when someone suddenly faints. During this kind of emergency, it's important to aid the person as quickly as possible. Knowing how to perform basic life support can be a great help until professional medical assistance can arrive at the scene and take over.

Instructions

Checking for Breathing

• 1

  Watch the patient for signs of breathing, which include a heaving chest and audible breath. Place your hand in front of the patient's mouth when in doubt. This will help you feel him exhale if he's breathing.

• 2

  Call for help. While you're aiding the patient, another passerby can dial the paramedics. Call 911 if nobody is around to hear you.

• 3

  Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, if the patient isn't breathing.

Performing CPR

• 4

  Open the patient's airway. Push the patient's forehead down while lifting the chin gently. This is an essential step--even if the patient is injured. Do not move your hands.

• 5

  Pinch the patient's nose between your forefinger and thumb on the hand holding down the forehead. Keep your other hand under the chin.

• 6

  Inhale normally. Lower yourself to the patient's mouth. Seal your mouth on the patient's.

• 7

  Exhale normally. Attempt to open up the airway once more if the patient's chest doesn't rise after you exhale. Continue with a second breath otherwise.

• 8

  Place your hand's heel directly onto the sternum, located in the center of the chest. Place your second hand directly on top of the first one.

• 9

  Lean forward so your shoulders are perpendicular to your hands.

• 10

  Press down quickly and firmly up to halfway into the depth of the chest. Allow the chest to relax completely before proceeding with the next compression.

• 11

  Perform 30 compressions before repeating the cycle again, starting with the two breaths. Continue this until help arrives or the victim regains consciousness.