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CPR Training

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, commonly known as CPR, is the act of providing rescue breathing and heart compressions to an individual who is not responsive. CPR is most effective when started immediately because the victim's lack of oxygen and a heart that is not pumping oxygenated blood to the brain cause brain damage and death within minutes. CPR restores blood circulation and rescue breathing provides oxygen to the victim until an EMT unit can arrive on the scene. CPR training teaches the ABC's of first attending to a victim: Airway, Breathing and Circulation.

  1. Check Scene

    • Check the scene for danger.

      Before beginning CPR, look around and make sure the area is safe. Look for things like electrical wires, traffic, broken glass, fire or anything else that could be dangerous. Remember, you cannot help the victim if you become injured yourself. Once it is determined that the scene is safe, quickly go to the victim's side.

    Open Airway

    • Yell for someone to call 911.

      The first step of performing CPR is to check the response of the victim. Kneel beside the victim, tapping the shoulder and try to get a response. Look to see if the victim's chest is rising, place your ear to the victim's mouth and listen or feel for breathing. If there is no response, yell for someone to call 911. If the victim is an adult and no one is nearby, take a second to call 911 yourself.

      If the victim is a child under the age of 9, begin rescue breathing and compressions immediately, continuing for five sets, then call 911.

    Rescue Breathing

    • Open the airway by performing the Head Tilt-Chin Lift. This procedure involves tipping the victim's head back by lifting the chin with a finger and pushing back on the forehead.

      Use a face shield over the victim's mouth if there is one available. The face shield protects the rescuer from any bodily fluids of the victim. While holding the victim's head back with one hand, pinch the nose closed with the other to prevent air loss. Take a breath and cover the victim's mouth with your mouth. Give two rescue breaths, lasting about one second each. Make sure the victim's chest rises as the breath is given.

    Chest Compressions

    • Begin compressions by placing the heel of one hand in the middle of the victim's chest, between the nipples. Place the other hand on top of the hand on the victim's chest. Push down on the chest quickly and forcefully, then release the pressure completely and begin again. Keep chest compressions at about 100 per minute. Complete 30 compressions and then return to 2 rescue breaths.
      Continue the cycle of 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths until emergency help arrives.

    Use AED

    • An AED is also known as an automated external defibrillator. The AED actually recognizes if the victim is in cardiac arrest. The machine signals the rescuer when to apply the shock. The shock helps the victim's heart return to its normal rhythm.
      Use the AED on a victim 8 years or older after giving the victim one set of rescue breaths and compressions. Make sure no one touches the victim while the shock is given. Do not deliver the shock if the victim is lying in water.

      Use the AED on a child 1 to 8 years old after giving five sets of rescue breaths and chest compressions. Do not use an AED on an infant under 1 year old.
      Begin the steps of CPR again after the shock is given to the victim.

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