Most people will never learn how to perform adult CPR because they believe they’ll never need to use it. Or maybe they think that when someone has a heart attack that there’ll be someone else around who can help, or that calling an ambulance is enough. But when someone’s heart stops beating, their chance of survival drops by 10% with every minute that passes.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is easy to learn, and anyone can do it. While the odds you’ll ever need it are low, if you ever find yourself in a situation where you are the only person who can help, you’ll be grateful you took the time to learn adult CPR.
What Is CPR?
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is a lifesaving technique that combines chest compressions with rescue breaths to manually pump blood through the body when the heart has stopped beating. Chest compressions are followed by 2 rescue breaths providing oxygen to the blood and the brain to keep someone alive until professional help arrives to provide advanced life support.
DRSABCD: What to Do Before You Start Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
The DRSABCD action plan outlines the steps you need to take before you can safely begin adult CPR. It stands for Danger, Response, Send for Help, Airway, Breathing, CPR, and Defibrillation.
Danger
Even in an emergency your safety comes before anyone else’s. Before approaching someone who has collapsed, check the area for hazards that could harm you, such as traffic, fire, electrical wires, gas leaks, or unstable structures. Do not approach if it is unsafe; you don’t want to become a casualty yourself.
Response
Check to see if the person is conscious by gently squeezing their shoulders and loudly asking them, “Are you okay?” If the person responds in any way, keep them calm, still, and comfortable until help arrives, and treat any other injuries they may have. If there is no response, move on to the next steps.
Send for Help
Call Triple Zero (000) immediately or ask a bystander to make the call for you so you can begin adult CPR uninterrupted. The emergency operator will guide you through the situation and dispatch an ambulance. Stay on the line with the operator, and put them on speaker if possible so you can begin adult CPR.
Airway
Place one hand on the person’s forehead and gently tilt their head back and lift their chin with your other hand. Check to see if there is anything blocking the person’s windpipe, such as food, vomit, or their tongue. If you see anything, carefully remove it with your fingers. Do not perform a blind finger sweep, as this could push objects deeper into the throat.
Breathing
With the airway open, check whether the person is breathing normally. Place your ear close to their mouth and nose while looking along their chest. Look for chest movement, listen for breath sounds, and feel for air on your cheek.
How to Perform CPR: Instructions Step by Step
Once you have confirmed that the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, begin adult CPR immediately.
30 Chest Compressions in CPR
Position the person on their back on a firm, flat surface. Kneel beside their chest, and place the heel of one hand on the lower half of their breastbone. Put your other hand on top and interlock your fingers.
Position your shoulders directly over your hands with your arms straight. Use your body weight, not just arm strength, to push down on the chest. Allow the chest to fully recoil between each compression, as this lets the heart refill with blood. Deliver 30 compressions at a rate of approximately 100 to 120 compressions per minute. This pace is similar to the beat of the song “Stayin’ Alive.”
2 Rescue Breaths
After completing 30 chest compressions, reopen the airway using the head tilt and chin lift. Pinch the soft part of their nose closed with your thumb and forefinger. Take a normal sized breath, seal your mouth over the person’s mouth, and blow steadily for about 1 second. Watch for the chest to rise to confirm air is entering the lungs; if their chest does not rise their head is not correctly tilted or there are still obstructions.
Let the chest fall before giving a second breath, then return to chest compressions. Continue the cycle of 30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths until emergency services arrive, the person shows signs of life such as normal breathing, movement, or consciousness, or you are physically unable to continue.
When to Use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
When someone’s heart has stopped beating normally, adult CPR needs to include the use of an AED in between rescue breaths and returning to compressions. An automated external defibrillator is a portable device that can analyse the heart rhythm and deliver an electrical shock to restart a heart that has stopped beating normally. AEDs are designed to be safe and simple for anyone to use, even without prior training. To use an AED:
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Turn on the device. Most units provide voice prompts and visual instructions.
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Expose the person’s bare chest. Quickly dry the skin if it is wet.
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Apply the adhesive pads to the chest as shown in the diagrams on the pads.
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Ensure no one is touching the person while the AED analyses the heart rhythm.
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If the AED advises a shock, make sure everyone stands clear and then press the shock button.
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Resume CPR after the shock is delivered.
The AED will continue to analyse the heart rhythm every 2 minutes and advise whether additional shocks are needed. Follow the device prompts and keep performing cycles of 30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths between analyses.
Learn First Aid for Cardiac Arrest
Adult CPR can save a life when someone experiences cardiac arrest. The actions you take in those first critical minutes can mean the difference between life and death until professional help arrives.
Prepare yourself for any eventuality by completing a certified CPR training course. You do not need to be a medical professional to save someone’s life. With the right training and the courage to act, you can save a life.
FAQs
What Are the CPR Steps for Children?
Child CPR follows the same 30:2 ratio of compressions to rescue breaths, but with modifications for smaller bodies. You will not need to tilt the head back of children under one year old as their airways are developing. Use one hand instead of two for compressions and compress to only 4cm deep. Instead of full rescue breaths, seal your mouth over the infant’s nose AND mouth and deliver only a gentle puff of air instead.
Can I Get Sick From Mouth-to-Mouth?
The risk of disease transmission during CPR is low, and there has never been a reported case of serious disease transmission such as HIV or Hepatitis. Barrier devices like pocket masks are available to reduce the risk of flu or cold transmission.
Is CPR Training Included in a First Aid Course?
Yes, CPR is a core component of first aid training. CPR training can be taken separately as refresher training is recommended yearly as opposed to every three years for first aid training.
