Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths to circulate oxygenated blood when the heart stops
Step by Step
Call your local emergency number, or have someone else call, and send for an AED. Start CPR immediately on anyone who is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest, 100 to 120 compressions per minute, depth 5 to 6 cm in adults, allowing full chest recoil. Minimize interruptions. If untrained or unwilling to give rescue breaths, compression only CPR is still effective for adults, and emergency call handlers can talk you through it. Use an AED as soon as one arrives and follow its prompts. The chance of survival falls with every minute without CPR and defibrillation, so starting immediately matters more than perfection.
Related Guides
Automated External Defibrillator
Call emergency services and continue CPR while someone fetches the AED. Turn on the AED and follow its voice prompts. Attach pads ...
Heart Attack Response
Symptoms: central chest pain, pressure, or tightness that may spread to the arms, jaw, neck, back, or stomach, with sweating, naus...
Fainting Syncope
If someone feels faint, help them lie down with legs raised, or if that is not possible, sit with their head lowered between their...
CPR for Children
Call emergency services immediately if a child is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Children usually need 5 initial rescue ...