What CPR does
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is given when a person has collapsed and is not breathing normally, usually because the heart has stopped (cardiac arrest). The brain begins to suffer damage within minutes without oxygen. CPR does not usually restart the heart by itself; its job is to keep oxygen-rich blood flowing to the brain and heart until an ambulance or a defibrillator (AED) arrives, greatly improving the chance of survival.
The main steps
- Check the scene is safe, then check the person for a response and normal breathing.
- Call for help: shout for assistance and get someone to phone 999 and bring an AED.
- Compress: place both hands on the centre of the chest and push hard and fast.
- Breaths: if trained, give 2 rescue breaths after every 30 compressions.
Key idea
For an adult, give chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute, pressing down about 5 to 6 cm, and allow the chest to rise fully between pushes. The standard cycle is 30 compressions to 2 breaths.
Doing it well
Good compressions are hard, fast and steady. Push on the lower half of the breastbone with straight arms, letting the chest recoil completely each time so the heart can refill. Swap with another rescuer about every 2 minutes to avoid tiredness, which weakens compressions. Continue CPR without long breaks until the person shows signs of life, an AED is ready, or trained help takes over.
Example
A man collapses at a shopping mall and is not breathing. A bystander calls 999, kneels beside him, and gives 30 firm chest compressions at about 110 per minute followed by 2 breaths, repeating the cycle until paramedics arrive.
Remember
Never delay compressions to look for a pulse for a long time. If you are untrained or unwilling to give breaths, hands-only CPR (continuous compressions) is still far better than doing nothing.