How To Perform A CPR - Detailed Steps And Guidelines

Get to know the detailed steps and guidelines on how to perform a CPR on an infant, child and an adult.

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is a life-saving ability that can be utilized in emergency situations when someone’s breathing or heart stops, such as during a cardiac arrest.

CPR combines chest compressions with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (rescue breathing). The chest compressions replicate the heart’s pumping action, and oxygen is delivered mouth-to-mouth. CPR procedures can help to keep blood circulating throughout the body, allowing crucial oxygen to reach the brain and other organs.

To maximize effectiveness, initiate CPR as quickly as possible if a person is unconscious, not breathing properly, or not breathing at all.

The steps involved in CPR can be remembered through the acronym DRS ABCD

D – Danger: Check for danger and ensure the area is safe and free of hazards.
R – Response: Check for a response from the patient and whether they are breathing well.
S – Send for help: If the patient does not respond, seek assistance. Call emergency services or yell for help, instruct someone to do so, and request an ambulance. The emergency services operator will assist you with CPR until the ambulance arrives.
A – Airway: Check that the patient’s airways are clear, by opening their nose, mouth and throat.
B – Breathing: Check if they are breathing properly by seeing, listening, and feeling for their breaths. If they are, gently move them onto their side (recovery position), which keeps their airways open. If they are not breathing normally or at all, begin CPR.
C – CPR: Start CPR, with 30 chest compressions followed by two mouth-to-mouth breaths.
D – Defibrillator: Continue CPR until an automated external defibrillator (AED) becomes available. Attach the AED’s pads to the patient’s skin and follow the voice prompts provided by the AED.

How To Perform A CPR – Detailed Steps And Guidelines – Video

The techniques in CPR alternate 30 chest compressions with two breaths of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Chest Compressions For Infants

Lie the infant on their back.
Place two fingers (or the palm of one hand for larger infants) on the lower half of the infant’s breastbone, in the middle of their chest.
Press down with your fingers or palm for about one-third of the chest’s depth, then release the pressure. This counts as a single compression. Compressions should be conducted at a rate of 100-120 per minute, or approximately two compressions every second.
Continue giving 30 compressions, followed by two breaths of mouth-to-mouth. Aim for five sets of compressions and breaths in around two minutes.

If you get tired while performing CPR, ask bystanders for help. Rotate the rescuer after two minutes of chest compressions, with as little disruption as possible.

Chest Compressions For Infants – Video

Chest Compressions For Children And Adults

Lie the patient on their back.
Place the heel of one hand on the bottom half of their breastbone, at the center of their chest. For older children and adults, place your other hand on top of your bottom hand and grab your wrist or interlock your fingers.
Position yourself over the patient’s chest. Keep your arms straight and press down with your palm to about one-third of the depth of their chest, then release the pressure. This counts as a single compression. Compressions should be conducted at a rate of 100-120 per minute, or approximately two compressions every second.
Continue to give 30 compressions before taking two mouth-to-mouth breaths. Aim for five sets of compressions and breaths in approximately two minutes.

Chest Compressions For Children And Adults – Video

CPR is a life-saving skill that everyone can learn. If CPR is performed within the first few minutes of a cardiac arrest, or in emergency scenarios where the patient is unconscious or not breathing, the patient’s chances of survival can be doubled or tripled.