Step-By-Step Guide On How To Perform CPR On A Dying/Unconscious Person

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique that’s useful in many emergencies in which someone’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. For example, when someone has a heart attack or nearly drowns.

The American Heart Association recommends starting CPR with hard and fast chest compressions. If you’re afraid to do CPR or unsure how to perform CPR correctly, know that it’s always better to try than to do nothing at all. The difference between doing something and doing nothing could be someone’s life.

Here’s advice from the American Heart Association:

There are two main stages to CPR: the preparation stage and the CPR stage.

Preparation Steps

Before performing CPR on an adult, use the following preparation steps:

Step 1. Call the emergency care line number for help

First, check the scene for factors that could put you in danger, such as traffic, fire, or falling objects. Next, check the person. Do they need help? Tap their shoulder and shout, “Are you OK?”

If they are not responding, call the emergency line or ask a bystander to call them before performing CPR.

Step 2. Place the person on their back and open their airway

Place the person carefully on their back and kneel beside their chest. Tilt their head back slightly by lifting their chin.

Open their mouth and check for any obstruction, such as food or vomit. Remove any obstruction if it is loose. If it is not loose, trying to grasp it may push it farther into the airway.

Step 3. Check for breathing

Place your ear next the person’s mouth and listen for no more than 10 seconds. If you do not hear breathing, or you only hear occasional gasps, begin CPR.

If the person is unconscious but still breathing, do not perform CPR. Instead, if they do not seem to have a spinal injury, place them in the recovery position. Keep monitoring their breathing and perform CPR if they stop breathing.

CPR Steps

Use the following steps to perform CPR:

Step 4. Perform 30 chest compressions

Place one of your hands on top of the other and clasp them together. With the heel of the hands and straight elbows, push hard and fast in the center of the chest, slightly below the nipples.

Push at least 2 inches deep. Compress their chest at a rate of least 100 times per minute. Let the chest rise fully between compressions.

Step 5. Perform two rescue breaths

Making sure their mouth is clear, tilt their head back slightly and lift their chin. Pinch their nose shut, place your mouth fully over theirs, and blow to make their chest rise.

If their chest does not rise with the first breath, retilt their head. If their chest still does not rise with a second breath, the person might be choking.

Step 6. Repeat

Repeat the cycle of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until the person starts breathing or help arrives.