In the event of an emergency, there is no time to waste. If you see that someone needs medical attention and it could take some time for an ambulance or EMT to arrive, understanding how to perform CPR can save a life.
With the information below, you’ll learn important tips on how to perform CPR. This knowledge will help you feel confident that you can handle an emergency situation while you wait for medical assistance to arrive.
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Check the Person Thoroughly
You will first want to make sure the person does, in fact, need your help. Ask them in a clear voice if they are alright. If they don’t respond, call 911 immediately and tell them where you are and that you are with a person who is unconscious. While you wait for medics to arrive, lay the person on their back and tilt their head back slightly by lifting their chin, opening the airway. Next, lean in and listen for breathing.
ProTip: Before administering CPR on someone, check their breathing and keep in mind that gasping or sputtering doesn’t necessarily count as breathing– it can still mean the person needs to be revived.
Begin Chest Compressions
Place your hands, one over the other, on the center of the chest. Then, push hard and fast in an up-and-down pumping motion with the heel of your hand, using your body weight to help you push. Aim for at least 100 compressions per minute, keeping count in your head or out loud in cycles of 30 compressions. After 30 chest compressions, check that the airway is open and begin rescue breathing.
Administer Rescue Breaths and Check for Blockages in the Throat
Before your rescue breaths, check the mouth and throat for any object that may be blocking the airway and remove it if you spot one. If you don’t see anything blocking the throat passageway, place your mouth over the person’s mouth to create a seal and pinch the nostrils to close them. Blow air into their mouth to make their chest rise. Do this twice, then continue your chest compressions. Continue this cycle until help arrives. If you start to feel exhausted, stop the process.
Get Hands-On Training
Reading the basics of performing CPR gives you a good idea of what the process requires and the steps to take to provide help. However, it’s important to practice these steps in a hands-on CPR training course with professionals who can help you learn the correct procedure.
Sign up for one of our classes, available online or on-campus to understand how to perform CPR the correct way.
