What Are The Steps For CPR?

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is an essential emergency procedure used to preserve brain function and blood circulation when a person’s heart or breathing has stopped. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are among the various professions that require CPR training and certification. Whether due to sudden cardiac arrest, choking, or drowning, timely and effective CPR can mean the difference between life and death. The process involves chest compressions and rescue breaths (if trained), which sustain oxygenated blood flow to vital organs until advanced medical care can be provided. Below is a detailed step-by-step guide to performing CPR, including key considerations and best practices.

Understanding Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique used to help someone who is not breathing or whose heart has stopped beating. This critical procedure involves chest compressions and rescue breaths, which work together to keep oxygen-rich blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs. The primary goal of CPR is to save a life by restoring blood circulation and breathing in a person who has experienced cardiac arrest. By maintaining the flow of oxygenated blood, CPR helps preserve brain function and vital organ health until emergency medical treatment can restart the heart.

Why is CPR Important?

CPR serves three critical purposes in emergency situations:

1. Restores Circulation: Chest compressions mimic the heart’s pumping action, delivering oxygen-rich blood to the brain and organs.

2. Prevents Brain Damage: Oxygen deprivation can cause irreversible brain damage within 4-6 minutes; CPR delays this process.

3. Bridges the Gap: CPR sustains life until professional help or an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can restore a normal heart rhythm.

Survival rates decrease by 7-10% for every minute without CPR or defibrillation. Immediate action is crucial.

Comprehensive Steps for Performing CPR

Step 1: Assess the Situation

• Ensure Safety:

  • Survey the environment for hazards like fire, traffic, live electrical wires, or chemical spills.

  • Only approach the victim if it is safe to do so.

• Approach Safely:

  • Move swiftly but cautiously to the individual to evaluate their condition.

Step 2: Check for Responsiveness

• Tap and Shout:

  • Firmly tap the person on their shoulders and loudly ask, “Are you okay?”

  • Use a louder tone if there’s no immediate response.

• Observe for Reactions:

  • Look for any movement, blinking, or verbal responses.

  • If there’s no response, assume the person is unresponsive and in need of CPR.

Step 3: Call 911 (or Instruct Someone to Call)

• Activate Emergency Services:

  • If you’re alone, call 911 immediately. Use speaker mode so the operator can provide guidance as you perform CPR.

• Delegate Tasks:

  • If others are nearby:

    • Ask one person to call 911 and relay information.

    • Direct another to locate an AED, which may be available in public spaces like gyms, offices, or airports.

• Provide Clear Information:

  • Tell the dispatcher your exact location, describe the situation, and state the person’s condition.

Step 4: Open the Airway

• Position the Person:

• Gently lay the individual flat on their back on a firm surface, such as the ground.

• Perform the Head Tilt-Chin Lift Maneuver:

• Place one hand on the forehead and gently tilt the head back.

• Use two fingers from your other hand to lift the chin. This action opens the airway by preventing the tongue from blocking the throat.

• Check the person's mouth for any obstructions before proceeding with CPR.

Step 5: Check for Breathing

• Look, Listen, and Feel:

• Look for the chest rising and falling.

• Listen for normal breathing sounds near the mouth and nose.

• Feel for air movement on your cheek.

• Duration:

• Spend no more than 10 seconds assessing breathing.

• Action:

• If the person is not breathing or only gasping (agonal breathing), immediately begin CPR.

• Starting CPR: Ensure to check the patient's responsiveness and the situation before starting CPR. Follow clear guidelines for different age groups, including adults, children, and infants, to ensure proper technique and timing in the emergency response to cardiac arrest.

Step 6: Begin Chest Compressions

• Position Your Hands:

• Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest (lower half of the breastbone, between the nipples).

• Place your other hand on top, interlocking your fingers or keeping them off the chest.

• Body Positioning:

• Kneel beside the person.

• Keep your shoulders directly above your hands and your arms straight. Use your body weight to push down.

• Perform Compressions:

• Depth: Compress the chest at least 2 inches (5 cm) for adults and children, and about 1.5 inches (4 cm) for infants.

• Rate: Push at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute. To maintain rhythm, follow the beat of songs like Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees.

• Recoil: Allow the chest to return fully to its original position between compressions. This ensures proper blood flow.

• Consistency: Perform continuous compressions without interruption, focusing on maintaining proper depth and speed.

• Technique: Push down hard and fast on the person's chest to restore blood flow. This is the most crucial step in performing CPR effectively.

Step 7: Provide Rescue Breaths (If Trained)

• Seal the Airway:

• Pinch the nose shut and create a tight seal over the person’s mouth with yours.

• For infants, cover both the nose and mouth with your mouth.

• Mouth-to-mouth breathing is crucial for providing effective rescue breaths, especially for trained rescuers who need to use a specific breathing ratio alongside chest compressions.

• Deliver Two Breaths:

• Each breath should last about 1 second and cause the chest to visibly rise.

• If the chest doesn’t rise, reposition the head and try again.

• Cycle:

• Alternate 30 chest compressions with 2 rescue breaths.

Step 8: Hands-Only CPR (If Not Trained)

• Focus on Chest Compressions:

• If you are untrained or unwilling to give rescue breaths, perform continuous chest compressions without pausing.

• When alone with a collapsed child, start chest compressions immediately to restore blood flow and call for help while performing CPR.

• Effectiveness:

• Hands-Only CPR is highly effective in maintaining circulation, especially in public emergencies.

Step 9: Use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

• Locate and Activate:

  • Retrieve the AED if available. Turn it on and follow its voice or visual instructions.

• Attach Pads:

  • Place one pad on the upper right chest and the other on the lower left side.

  • For infants or children, use pediatric pads if available; otherwise, modify placement to avoid pad overlap.

• Follow Prompts:

  • Allow the AED to analyze the heart’s rhythm. Ensure no one touches the person during this process.

  • Deliver Shock: If the AED advises a shock, ensure everyone is clear before pressing the button. Resume CPR immediately after the shock.

Step 10: Rotate Rescuers (If Possible)

• Prevent Fatigue:

  • If another trained individual is present, switch roles every 2 minutes to maintain the quality of compressions.

• High-Quality Compressions:

  • Consistent depth and speed are critical to effective CPR. Fatigue can compromise these factors, so frequent rotation helps.

Step 11: Continue CPR Until

• The person begins breathing or shows signs of life.

• Emergency medical professionals arrive and take over.

• The AED advises you to stop.

• You are physically unable to continue due to exhaustion.

CPR for Infants

CPR for infants is a specialized technique that requires careful attention to the infant’s small size and delicate body. When performing CPR on an infant, it’s essential to use the correct technique to avoid causing harm. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Check the Infant’s Airway, Breathing, and Circulation (ABCs):

• Ensure the airway is clear, check for breathing, and look for signs of circulation.

2. Call 911 or Your Local Emergency Number:

• Immediately call for help or instruct someone else to do so.

3. Start CPR with 30 Chest Compressions Followed by Two Rescue Breaths:

• Use two fingers to compress the infant’s chest, placing them in the center of the chest, just below the nipple line.

• Compress the chest to a depth of about 1.5 inches (4 cm).

4. Give Two Rescue Breaths:

• Ensure the infant’s mouth is clear, then cover both the nose and mouth with your mouth.

• Each breath should be gentle and cause the chest to rise visibly.

5. Repeat the Cycle:

• Continue the cycle of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until the infant starts breathing or help arrives.

By following these steps, you can provide effective CPR tailored to an infant’s needs, potentially saving their life.

Additional Considerations for CPR

• Minimize Interruptions:
  Avoid pausing compressions for more than a few seconds, even when switching rescuers or using an AED.

• Infant and Child Modifications:

  • Use two fingers for infants instead of both hands.

  • Apply less force while maintaining proper depth for small children.

• Address Gasping:
  Agonal breaths (gasping) are not normal breathing and require immediate CPR.

• Stay Calm and Focused:
  Remaining calm improves your ability to provide effective assistance.

CPR Training and Certification

CPR training and certification are essential for anyone who wants to learn how to perform CPR correctly. CPR training courses are available for individuals, families, workplaces, and community groups. These courses teach the correct technique for performing CPR, including chest compressions and rescue breaths. By taking a CPR training course, you can learn how to save a life in the event of a cardiac emergency.

In addition to CPR training, it’s also important to get certified in CPR. CPR certification is a formal recognition of your ability to perform CPR correctly. To get certified, you’ll need to complete a CPR training course and pass a certification exam. CPR certification is typically valid for two years, after which you’ll need to recertify to maintain your certification.

By understanding cardiopulmonary resuscitation, learning CPR for infants and children, and getting CPR training and certification, you can help save a life in the event of a cardiac emergency. Remember, CPR is a lifesaving technique that requires careful attention to detail and proper technique. By learning CPR, you can make a difference in someone’s life.

Why CPR Matters

• Immediate Action Saves Lives: Brain damage begins within minutes of cardiac arrest, making swift CPR crucial.

• CPR + AED = Higher Survival: Using an AED alongside CPR can double or triple survival rates.

• Anyone Can Learn: Even untrained individuals can perform effective Hands-Only CPR, making a life-saving difference.

Conclusion

CPR is one of the most vital skills you can learn to help others in life-threatening emergencies. By following these detailed steps—assessing the situation, checking responsiveness, initiating chest compressions, providing rescue breaths (if trained), and using an AED when available—you can offer critical care that sustains life until professional help arrives.

Taking a certified CPR course is strongly recommended to gain hands-on experience and confidence in performing these actions. Remember, even imperfect CPR is better than no intervention at all. Your prompt response could save a life and make a lasting impact on the victim and their loved ones.