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First Aid CPR Techniques

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving procedure to restore a victim's cardiac and pulmonary functions. In less than eight minutes, brain damage or death may occur if the brain does not receive enough blood or oxygen. CPR techniques can be used by non-professionals to save lives. Many organizations, such as the American Red Cross, offer CPR courses so that you can practice these techniques.

  1. Evaluate the Situation

    • Before administering CPR, evaluate the situation. If the person was injured on a bicycle or involved in a car accident on a roadway, it may not be safe to administer CPR in this location. If the person was electrocuted, the source of power should be turned off before you approach the victim. It may not be safe to move the person without a health care professional on site. Decide if the location is safe enough to assist the person without moving him so that neither you nor the victim is in danger from other causes. Ask someone to call 911 before assisting the individual.

    Check for Responsiveness

    • If there is someone in distress, there could be a variety of causes. It is important to identify if CPR is the right course of action. Shout at the person, ask her a question or shake her shoulders to check for responsiveness. If the person is not responsive, begin CPR. Check for a pulse and respiration. Check the pulse by placing your index finger and middle finger together on the carotid artery, located on the neck. Locate the carotid artery by gently pressing your fingers into the groove on the side of the trachea, or windpipe. Check for breathing by placing your ear over the victim's mouth to listen for respiration while watching the chest for a rise and fall motion.

    Cardiac Resuscitation

    • Give chest compressions with straight arms.

      If a pulse was faint or undetectable, begin cardiac resuscitation. Locate the center of the chest with your fingers, above the sternum and between the nipples. Put one hand over the other and interlace your fingers. Push down 2 inches on the middle of the chest with the heel of your bottom hand. Use the hand on top to pull back the fingers of the hand on the bottom. Administer 30 chest compressions with your arms and elbows straight and locked.

    Pulmonary Resuscitation

    • Pinch the nose to prevent air from escaping.

      If you did not hear breathing, see the chest rise and fall or if breathing is irregular (gasping), administer pulmonary resuscitation. Check first that there is nothing, such as a piece of food, blocking the airway, by scooping the mouth with two fingers. Then tilt the head of the victim back and lift the chin, creating an elongated airway. Close the person's nose with two fingers and breathe deeply into the person's mouth. Give two deep breaths in total. If there is a CPR mask available, you should use this over the victim's mouth rather than direct mouth-to-mouth contact.

    Repeat

    • Repeat the 30 chest compressions, then give two more breaths. Use the 30:2 ratio for both adults and kids. Continue the cycle until help arrives or until someone can assist you in administering CPR.

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