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  • How to Perform CPR - Adult CPR Steps

    CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation can help save a life during cardiac arrest, when the heart stops beating or beats too ineffectively to circulate blood to the brain and other vital organs. However, even after training, remembering the CPR steps and administering them correctly can be a challenge.

    How many compressions should you do, and how fast? How deeply should you compress the chest? How often should you give rescue breaths? These are all important factors to consider to ensure you can perform high quality CPR when the time comes. To be prepared when to perform CPR, please read the steps below. Print this page

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    Giving CPR

    1

    CHECK the scene for safety, form an initial impression and use personal protective equipment (PPE)

    2

    If the person appears unresponsive, CHECK for responsiveness, breathing, life-threatening bleeding or other life-threatening conditions using shout-tap-shout

    3

    If the person does not respond and is not breathing or only gasping, CALL 9-1-1 and get equipment, or tell someone to do so

    4

    Kneel beside the person. Place the person on their back on a firm, flat surface

    5

    The American Red Cross CPR guidelines recommend 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute, 30 at a time. Remember these five points:

    • Hand position: Two hands centered on the chest
    • Body position: Shoulders directly over hands; elbows locked
    • Compression depth: At least 2 inches
    • Rate of compressions: 100 to 120 per minute
    • Allow chest to return to normal position after each compression
    6

    Give 2 breaths

    • Open the airway to a past-neutral position using the head-tilt/chin-lift technique
    • Pinch the nose shut, take a normal breath, and make complete seal over the person’s mouth with your mouth.
    • Ensure each breath lasts about 1 second and makes the chest rise; allow air to exit before giving the next breath

    Note: If the 1st breath does not cause the chest to rise, retilt the head and ensure a proper seal before giving the 2nd breath If the 2nd breath does not make the chest rise, an object may be blocking the airway

    7

    Continue giving sets of 30 chest compressions and 2 breaths. Use an AED as soon as one is available! Minimize interruptions to chest compressions to less than 10 seconds.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When to Perform CPR?

    CPR is performed when someone is unresponsive and not breathing or gasping for air. It is used to help save a life when the heart stops beating or is beating too ineffectively to circulate blood to vital organs.

    How Many Compressions per Minute for CPR?

    100 to 120 compressions per minute, based on the CPR guidelines from the American Red Cross.

    How Long Should You Check for Breathing While Performing CPR?

    When performing compressions and rescue breathing, check for breathing for no more than 10 seconds.



    Be prepared for moments that matter by taking a CPR class and you could help save a life.

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