The ABCs of CPR

The ABCs of CPR

CPR is a lifesaving technique that can be performed on someone who's not breathing or whose breathing has stopped. CPR helps keep blood flowing through the body and is usually done while waiting for emergency medical help to arrive.

Learn about CPR.

• Learn how to perform CPR.
• Practice CPR on a dummy.
• Know how to use an AED, which stands for automated external defibrillator. An AED is a device that delivers an electrical shock through your chest in order to restore the normal rhythm of your heart when it's not beating normally (ventricular fibrillation). If you're able to use one, do so immediately after calling 911 for help and getting the victim into a semi-recumbent position (lying on their back).
• Stop CPR if there's no pulse after 30 minutes or sooner if you notice any signs of worsening distress--for example: bleeding from mouth or nose; blueish skin coloration; rapid breathing or gasping sounds; vomiting blood or material other than saliva while unconscious

How to perform CPR on a child.

To perform CPR on a child, check for breathing and a pulse. If you don't find either, start compressions immediately. If there is a pulse but no breathing, give rescue breaths.

If the child has no signs of life and is unresponsive (not moving or talking), begin chest compressions at a rate of 100 per minute until help arrives or another trained person takes over for you with compressions and ventilation (if necessary).

What to do if you witness a cardiac arrest.

If you witness a cardiac arrest, your first step is to call 911. If you have time and are able to do so safely, move the person who has stopped breathing into a position that allows for chest compressions (on their back) and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (prone).

• Chest compressions should always be started before rescue breaths, as they help maintain circulation until medical help arrives.
• If possible, use two fingers in the center of the breastbone (sternum) at least 2 inches apart--but don't press hard enough to break bones or damage internal organs like your ribs or lung tissue!

How to perform CPR on an adult victim.

The first step is to call 911. The next step is to check if the victim is breathing by looking at his chest and seeing if it rises and falls. If there are no breaths, begin CPR with chest compressions.

If there is a pulse, continue CPR until help arrives or you become too tired (two minutes). If there's no pulse at all, do two rounds of 30 compressions followed by two breaths--and then repeat this cycle until help arrives or you become too tired (again: two minutes).

If you witness someone having a cardiac arrest, learn CPR and use it as soon as possible.

If you witness someone having a cardiac arrest, learn CPR and use it as soon as possible.

• Call 911 immediately. The sooner the better, because every minute matters when it comes to saving a life.
• Start chest compressions: Push hard and fast in the center of the chest at least 100 times per minute (about 2 inches deep). It's important to keep going until help arrives or someone else takes over for you--even if that means performing CPR for several minutes straight!
• Keep the person warm and comfortable; don't give up on them! Don't be afraid to ask for help from others nearby who may have had training in first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). If possible, get someone else involved by using two hands instead of one so that they can provide constant pressure while keeping their hands warm by squeezing them together inside their coat pockets or gloves (if available), etcetera...

The cornerstone of CPR is the ABCs -- airway, breathing, and circulation.

The cornerstone of CPR is the ABCs -- airway, breathing, and circulation. You should always check for these three things first when someone is not breathing normally:

• Airway -- make sure that there are no obstructions in the person's mouth or throat. You can check this by tilting their head back slightly and lifting their chin up with one hand while placing your other hand on their forehead. If you see anything blocking their airway (like food), remove it with your fingers or tweezers (or whatever else you have handy).
• Breathing -- listen for chest movement as well as looking at their chest. If they're not breathing at all, start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation immediately by pressing your lips against theirs and blowing gently into their lungs until they start to cough violently--this means they're getting oxygen into their system!
• Circulation -- ensure that blood flow has been restored by checking for signs of life: feeling faint pulse beats under certain areas on wrists or ankles; seeing bluish coloring around lips; observing coldness from extremities such as fingers/toes etc., which indicates poor circulation throughout body parts affected by hypothermia

When you're trying to help someone who's not breathing, never give up. Start CPR immediately.

When you're trying to help someone who's not breathing, never give up. Start CPR immediately.

Don't worry about being too rough or hurting the person; they're already injured and in need of help! Don't worry about getting it wrong--just do what you can to save this person's life. The ABCs of CPR stand for airway, breathing, and circulation; if you're alone and there isn't anyone else around who knows how to perform CPR (or if you just want some backup), then follow these steps:

• Check for an open airway by tilting the head back slightly with one hand on the forehead while tilting the chin upward slightly with your other hand (like a "head tilt-chin lift"). If necessary use one finger on each side of their nose making sure no obstructions exist such as vomit or blood clots from trauma injuries

If you can't find a pulse in someone who has stopped breathing, call 911 immediately and start chest compressions if you're alone with the person. If you're with other people, perform CPR for about two minutes before calling 911 to give the dispatcher time to review how to do CPR correctly.

If you're alone with the person, start chest compressions immediately. If you're with other people, perform CPR for about two minutes before calling 911 to give the dispatcher time to review how to do CPR correctly.

Push hard and fast -- at least 100 chest compressions per minute -- using the heel of one hand placed right between the person's nipples (make sure not to push too hard). Lock elbows, use your body weight, and push down on your chest so all areas are compressed equally during each compression cycle.

When performing CPR on an adult, push hard and fast -- at least 100 chest compressions per minute.

• When performing CPR on an adult, push hard and fast -- at least 100 chest compressions per minute.
• Use the heel of your hand to push in the center of the chest about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) down from the nipple line, at a rate of 100 times per minute (about two compressions per second).
• Continue until help arrives or you are too tired to continue. Do not stop unless you need to check for breathing and/or pulse; if either is absent, resume CPR immediately after checking for obstructions in the airway or performing rescue breaths (B).

Something as simple as learning CPR could save a life!

It will take you less than five minutes, and then you'll be ready to save a life!

Not only that, but CPR is worth it because it could save a life--like your mom's or dad's or sister's or brother's life. So don't be afraid of failure; try again until success comes your way! If someone isn't breathing correctly, call 911 immediately so they can get help from professionals who know how to do CPR properly when needed (and ask for help). Don't forget though: You can only save somebody if they aren't already dead...so if there are no signs of life when checking for pulse rate etc., then keep trying until someone arrives at which point things should work themselves out naturally after that point unless there was some other issue preventing proper circulation throughout their body first before attempting resuscitation efforts such as cardiac arrest caused by a heart attack, etc., but even then there still may be hope provided by medical professionals who know how well enough about anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, surgery, etc."

Conclusion

The ABCs of CPR is a great way to remember how to perform this lifesaving technique. You should also be aware that when you witness someone having a cardiac arrest, learn CPR and use it as soon as possible.