Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, also known as CPR, is a lifesaving technique that is useful in emergency circumstances like a heart attack or near-drowning situations where the individual’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. Experts advise starting CPR with fast and hard chest compressions. This hands-only recommendation applies to both first responders and untrained bystanders. So for individuals who are unsure about how to carry out the procedure, some good-to-know CPR training information is listed below.

Things to consider before the CPR procedure

Before starting the CPR process, there are certain factors that one must consider.

• Check the scene and the person to make sure the environment is safe. If the person is conscious, tap them on their shoulder and ask, “Are you OK?” loudly. Doing so could affirm that the person requires assistance.
• If two individuals are at the scene other than the collapsed person, one of them should call 911 or the local emergency number and get the automated external defibrillator (AED). The other person can start administering CPR to the collapsed individual. The 911 dispatcher could offer guidance to get through the steps until paramedics arrive.
• Tilt the person’s head backward while they are lying on their back.
• Listen for 10 seconds and check if the person is breathing. If the individual’s chest is moving up or down, it means they are breathing.
• Look for a pulse by feeling the side of the affected individual’s neck.
• Perform CPR if the responder doesn’t feel a pulse.

Steps to perform CPR

The American Heart Association uses the letters C-A-B to help individuals remember the order to perform the steps of CPR. These letters represent compressions, airway, and breathing, respectively.

Compressions – Restore blood flow
The first step in a CPR procedure is to perform compressions. The person administering the procedure must-

• Put the person on their back on a firm surface.
• Kneel next to the person’s neck or shoulder area.
• Place the lower palm over the center of the person’s chest.
• Put the other hand atop the first hand, and keep the elbows straight. Also, position the shoulders directly above the hands.
• Push downwards (compress) the chest at least 2 inches (but no more than 2.4 inches). One should also use their entire body mass when doing compressions.
• Keep pushing hard at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions a minute. After each push, one should allow the chest to recoil (spring back).
• If an individual is not trained in CPR, they must continue administering chest compressions until signs of movement or the emergency healthcare professional takes over.

Airway – Open the airway
If one is trained in CPR and has performed at least 30 chest compressions, then one can proceed to open the airway. The steps here include opening the individual’s airways using the head-tilt and chin-lift maneuvers. Place the palm on the affected individual’s forehead and gently tilt the head back. Now, use the other hand to gently lift the chin forward to open the airway.

Breathing – Breathe for the person
The next step is to breathe for the patient. Rescue breathing can be mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose (if the mouth is seriously injured or cannot be opened). Experts suggest performing rescue breathing with a bag-mask device with a HEPA filter.