Perform CPR
Performing CPR is easy. At Project Heart ReStart we strongly recommend you take the course from a certified instructor in your area. CPR is taught at many fire stations, community centers, through the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association. The instructions listed below are not a substitute for practicing on a real CPR manikin. Rather, they will give you an idea of how easy learning CPR can be. Practice on a manikin will give you a better feel of how to perform the skill and improve your confidence should you need to use it.
If you are faced with a situation of needing to perform CPR, please perform these steps:
1. Make sure it is safe to touch the victim.
2. Shake the victim by the shoulders—is the victim responsive?
3. If unresponsive, call for help—scream or yell if necessary. If you are alone use your cell phone or leave to summon help. Return as quickly as possible!
4. Open the airway. Place the heel of one hand on the victim’s forehead. Use two or three fingers from the other hand to lift the chin and tilt the head back.
5. Check for breathing. Put your head close to the victim’s face with one ear facing the victim and look at the victim’s chest. In this position you are looking for the chest to rise, listening for air coming out of the mouth or nose, or feeling for air from the victim’s mouth or nose to blow against your cheek. Do this for five to10 seconds.
6. If the victim is not breathing adequately, keep the head tilted back and give two breaths. Put your mouth over the victim’s mouth, pinch the victim’s nose, and give two normal breaths. If air doesn’t go in, re-tilt the head and try again. If it doesn’t go in the second time, go to the next step. If the breath does go in, go to Step 7.
7. Begin chest compressions. Expose the victim’s chest if possible, kneel along side the victim, place the heel of one hand on the middle of the breast bone directly between the nipples, place the other hand on top of the first, and begin compressions. Each compression should be about one and a half to two inches downward. You should perform compressions at a rate of 100 per minute. If you are able to keep a musical beat to your compressions, the song “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees is a good choice. This song will help you keep the beat at around 100 beats/compressions per minute.
8. The ratio of compressions to breathing is 30 compressions to 2 breaths. Continue to perform CPR until the patient awakens, or until an AED arrives and is attached to the victim.
9. Recent research suggests that some victims may benefit from compressions only. This provides an alternative for the rescuer who may be hesitant about performing mouth-to-mouth.
Click here for a quick reference guide to CPR. Carry it with you, and keep a copy with your AED.