Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) consists of mouth-to-mouth respirations and chest

compressions. CPR allows oxygenated blood to circulate to vital organs such as the brain and heart. CPR can keep a person alive until more

advanced procedures (such as defibrillation - an electric shock to the chest) can treat the cardiac arrest. CPR started by a bystander doubles the

likelihood of survival for victims of cardiac arrest.

CPR AGE CATEGORIES

ADULT Puberty and Higher

CHILD 1-Onset of Puberty

INFANT 0-1

1. CALL

Check the victim for unresponsiveness. If there is no response, “Call 911 and Get the AED” and return to the victim. In most locations the emergency dispatcher can assist you with CPR instructions. 

2. Compress Chest Begin chest compressions. Push down on the chest at least 2 inches (5 cm) 30 times right between the nipples.  Pump at the rate of 100-120 minute. Allow for complete chest recoil after each compression. Minimize interruptions in chest compressions. 

3. Airway and Breathing

Tilt the head back and lift the chin.  If not breathing, pinch nose and cover the mouth with yours and blow until you see the chest rise. Give 2 breaths.  Each breath should take 1 second. 

CONTINUE WITH 2 BREATHS AND 30 COMPRESSIONS (5 Cycles) UNTIL HELP ARRIVES NOTE: This ratio is for one-person & two-person CPR.  In two-person CPR the person pumping the chest stops while the other gives mouth-to-mouth breathing.

CPR for Children CPR for children is similar to performing

CPR for adults. There are, however, 3 differences.

1) If you are alone with the child give 5 cycles (2 minutes) of CPR before calling 911.

2) Use the heel of one hand for chest compressions. The compression rate is 100-120/minute.

3) The compression depth is at least 1/3 of the anterior-posterior diameter of the chest (about 2 inches).

Give 30 Compressions Give 30 gentle chest

compressions at the rate of at least 100-120minute. Position your 3rd and 4th fingers in the center of the chest half an inch below the nipples. The compression depth is at least 1/3 of the anterior-posterior diameter of the chest (approximately 1 ½ inches).

Repeat Repeat with 2 breaths and

30 compressions. After five cycles, if you are alone, call 911 and continue the sequence.

Open The Airway Open the airway using a head

tilt lifting of chin. Do not tilt the head too far back.

Give 2 Gentle Puffs If the baby is NOT breathing

give 2 small gentle puffs. Cover the baby's mouth and nose with your mouth. Each breath should be 1 second long. You should see the baby's chest rise with each breath.

Abnormal Breathing

Remember a person in cardiac arrest may have abnormal breathing for a couple of minutes. This abnormal breathing is called "agonal respiration" and is the result of the brain's breathing center sending out signals even though circulation has ceased. The key point is that the abnormal breathing may sound like grunting, gasping or snoring. It disappears in 2-3 minutes. If you see this type of breathing DO NOT delay CPR. The person desperately needs air and only you can provide it.

Pushing on the Chest

In general the chest should be pushed down about 2 inches. Sometimes you may hear a cracking sound. Do not be alarmed. The sound is caused by cartilage or ribs cracking. Even if this occurs the damage is not serious. The risk of delaying CPR or not doing CPR is far greater than the risk of a broken rib.