CPR: CARDIOPULMINARY RESUSCITATION
CPR is a lifesaving technique that is useful in many emergencies in which someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped.
There are different methods that people with different levels of training should take to CPR, but it is better to do something than nothing at all in the event of an emergency. Below, the different levels of training and their respective methods are outlined.
There are different methods that people with different levels of training should take to CPR, but it is better to do something than nothing at all in the event of an emergency. Below, the different levels of training and their respective methods are outlined.
UNTRAINED: Those untrained in CPR should provide only about 100 chest compressions per minute (described below) until paramedics arrive. Rescue breathing does not need to be attempted. If you have immediate access to a phone, call 911 or the local emergency number to receive instructions from the dispatcher in performing CPR until help arrives.
WELL-TRAINED AND PREPARED: If you are well-trained and ready to perform CPR, begin with 30 chest compressions and then proceed to check the airway and perform rescue breathing (described below).
TRAINED BUT KNOWLEDGE IS FADED: If you have been trained in CPR but are unsure of your abilities, it is recommended to do the same as an untrained person (100 chest compressions per minute until help arrives).
These methods apply to all age groups except newborns.
Please note that to learn CPR properly, it is best to take a licensed first aid course that also teaches how to use an automatic external defibrillator (AED). However, this page can help give a basic knowledge of first aid.
WELL-TRAINED AND PREPARED: If you are well-trained and ready to perform CPR, begin with 30 chest compressions and then proceed to check the airway and perform rescue breathing (described below).
TRAINED BUT KNOWLEDGE IS FADED: If you have been trained in CPR but are unsure of your abilities, it is recommended to do the same as an untrained person (100 chest compressions per minute until help arrives).
These methods apply to all age groups except newborns.
Please note that to learn CPR properly, it is best to take a licensed first aid course that also teaches how to use an automatic external defibrillator (AED). However, this page can help give a basic knowledge of first aid.
ADULTS
|
THE THIRD STEP: BREATHING
The process of breathing for the person should typically be done mouth-to-mouth, but mouth-to-nose is also acceptable if the mouth is severely injured or cannot be opened.
1. After using the head-lift, chin-tilt maneuver to open the airway, pinch the person's nostrils shut (for mouth-to-mouth) and form a seal by covering the person's mouth with yours.
2. Give two rescue breaths. The first of these should last 1 second. Watch to see if the chest rises after the breath. If it does, continue with the second breath (of equal length). If it doesn't, repeat the head-lift, chin-tilt maneuver and then give the next breath.
3. Resume chest compressions to restore circulation. 30 compressions followed by two rescue breaths is one cycle.
4. If the person does not move after five cycles (about two minutes), and an AED is immediately available, apply it and follow the instructions/prompts. Give one shock, then resume CPR (starting with chest compressions) for another two minutes. Then, give a second shock. If you aren't properly trained in using an AED, a medical personnel (e.g. 911/emergency dispatcher) may be able to guide you through how to use it. If there is no AED available, continue with the next step.
5. Continue CPR until there are signs of movement or until medical help arrives and takes over.
The following video outlines CPR for both adults and children (designed for a CPR class/course).
The process of breathing for the person should typically be done mouth-to-mouth, but mouth-to-nose is also acceptable if the mouth is severely injured or cannot be opened.
1. After using the head-lift, chin-tilt maneuver to open the airway, pinch the person's nostrils shut (for mouth-to-mouth) and form a seal by covering the person's mouth with yours.
2. Give two rescue breaths. The first of these should last 1 second. Watch to see if the chest rises after the breath. If it does, continue with the second breath (of equal length). If it doesn't, repeat the head-lift, chin-tilt maneuver and then give the next breath.
3. Resume chest compressions to restore circulation. 30 compressions followed by two rescue breaths is one cycle.
4. If the person does not move after five cycles (about two minutes), and an AED is immediately available, apply it and follow the instructions/prompts. Give one shock, then resume CPR (starting with chest compressions) for another two minutes. Then, give a second shock. If you aren't properly trained in using an AED, a medical personnel (e.g. 911/emergency dispatcher) may be able to guide you through how to use it. If there is no AED available, continue with the next step.
5. Continue CPR until there are signs of movement or until medical help arrives and takes over.
The following video outlines CPR for both adults and children (designed for a CPR class/course).
CHILDREN
A PROCEDURAL DIFFERENCE After you have performed five cycles (about two minutes) of CPR, if there is no response in the person and an AED is available, apply it and follow the prompts. Use pediatric pads if they are available (for children ages 1 through 8). If they aren't available, use adult pads. Give one shock, then resume CPR (starting with chest compressions) for two more minutes before giving another shock. Do not use an AED for children younger than age 1. |
BABIES
The process of performing CPR on a baby is very different from the process of performing CPR on an adult. The process is outlined below.
PRECAUTIONS:
If you know that the baby has an airway obstruction, perform first aid for choking. If you are unsure about why the baby isn't breathing, perform CPR. To check for a response from the baby, stroke him/her, but do not shake him/her. If you are the only rescuer, perform five cycles (about two minutes) of CPR and then call 911/the local emergency number, but if there is someone else available, have them call for help while you attend to the baby.
THE FIRST STEP: COMPRESSIONS
The same procedure applies for checking the airway for all forms of CPR. Use the head-tilt, chin-lift method to open the airway and look for signs of normal breathing (chest motion, breath sounds), taking no more than 10 seconds.
THE THIRD STEP: BREATHING
The process of performing CPR on a baby is very different from the process of performing CPR on an adult. The process is outlined below.
PRECAUTIONS:
If you know that the baby has an airway obstruction, perform first aid for choking. If you are unsure about why the baby isn't breathing, perform CPR. To check for a response from the baby, stroke him/her, but do not shake him/her. If you are the only rescuer, perform five cycles (about two minutes) of CPR and then call 911/the local emergency number, but if there is someone else available, have them call for help while you attend to the baby.
THE FIRST STEP: COMPRESSIONS
- Place the baby on a flat, firm surface such as a table. The floor or ground is also acceptable.
- Picture a horizontal line drawn between the baby's nipples. Place two fingers of one hand just below this line (in the center of the chest).
- Gently compress the chest about 1.5 inches (approximately 4 centimetres).
- Count aloud as you do chest compressions fairly quickly - at a rate of about 100 a minute.
The same procedure applies for checking the airway for all forms of CPR. Use the head-tilt, chin-lift method to open the airway and look for signs of normal breathing (chest motion, breath sounds), taking no more than 10 seconds.
THE THIRD STEP: BREATHING
- Cover the baby's nose and mouth with your mouth.
- Use your cheeks to deliver gentle puffs of air (instead of deep breaths from your lungs) to breathe one time into the baby's mouth slowly. Look to see if the baby's chest rises: if it does, give a second rescue breath. If it does not, repeat the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver and then give the second rescue breath.
- If the baby's chest does not rise after these breaths, check the mouth to ensure that no foreign object/material is inside. If there is an object that is visible, sweep it out with your finger. If the airway seems blocked, perform first aid for a choking baby.
- Remember to give two breaths after every 30 chest compressions.
- Perform CPR for about two minutes (five cycles), and then call for help. If someone else is available, have them call for help while you perform first aid.
- Continue CPR until you see signs of breathing/motion, or until emergency medical help arrives and takes over.