Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, provides oxygen to the brain and heart of a victim who has no pulse and is not breathing. CPR is administered to adults and children ages 1 through 8 years in similar fashion. A combination of chest compressions and rescue breathing helps the victim maintain vital blood circulation until medical help arrives.
Assess the Patient
Before starting CPR on an adult or child, ensure the patient truly needs it. Gently shake the patient or tap him on the chest. Ask, "Are you OK?" If there is no response from an adult victim, call 9-1-1. If you are alone, it is acceptable to leave the adult patient momentarily to call 9-1-1, according to the American Heart Association. If someone is with you, have that person call 9-1-1 while you continue to assess the patient. Do not leave an unresponsive child to call 9-1-1. Instead, check the child for breathing. If she is not breathing, perform one full minute of CPR before stopping to call 9-1-1, if you are alone.
Check for breathing by first laying the adult or child on his back. Open the patient's airway by gently lifting up on his chin. Check the patient's breathing by placing one hand gently on his chest to feel for movement from inhaling and exhaling. Place your cheek over the patient's nose and mouth to feel for breath against your skin. Check for 10 seconds.
Method for Breathing
If possible, use a rescue mask over the patient's mouth to prevent saliva exposure and contamination between yourself and the victim.
Breathe air into the adult or child victim by pinching the victim's nose closed and placing your mouth over the victim's mouth to create a seal. Fill your lungs with a normal inhalation and deliver two breaths to the victim. Blow slowly and steadily into the victim's mouth for about one second for each breath.
Chest Compressions
Kneel beside the victim and pull up his shirt. For an adult, place the heel of your right hand on the center of the victim's chest between the nipples. Place your left hand over your right hand, keeping the heel of your right hand on the chest. Keep your arms straight and press down on the chest hard and fast. You should feel the chest sink with each thrust. Compress the chest 1 1/2 to 2 inches. Perform chest compressions on a child the same way. You may use one or both hands between the nipple line on the child's chest. Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota advise compressing a child's chest one half the depth of the chest.
Give 30 compressions for both adults and children, and then stop compressions to give two more breaths. After breaths are completed, give 30 more compressions. Continue this cycle until medical help arrives.
