Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a basic life saving technique that can save a life during medical emergencies such as heart attack and cardiac arrest. It can double a person’s chance of survival if they are in this state of emergency by keeping oxygen rich blood flow to the brain and other vital organs until emergency medical treatment can restore the normal heart rhythm. However, remembering the CPR steps and administering them correctly can be challenging even after training. Performing CPR on adults can be a lot of pressure, especially for bystanders who are not medical personnel, as they have to respond fast and effectively.

So in this post, we highlighted the top tips to keep in mind if you need to do CPR on adults in a critical situation. This is a printable guide that you can put on your desk or in your bag so that you will always be prepared.

Tips for Performing CPR on Adults

Step 1: Attempt to Wake The Victim

Tap the shoulder of the victim and ask if he or she is okay. If the victim is not breathing or just gasping for breath, call 911 immediately, or ask someone else to do it. If you are alone, call 911 first before starting CPR.

Step 2: Begin Chest Compressions

Put your other hand on top of the first interlocking fingers. Push down about 2 inches at a compression rate of 100 beats per minute. Allow the chest to recoil before the next compression. Do the chest compressions at a rate of at least 100 compressions per minute. Perform 30 compressions at this rate.

Step 3: Begin Rescue Breathing

Open the victim’s airway using the head tilt, chin lift method. Next, pinch the victim’s nose and make a seal over the victim’s mouth with yours (mouth to mouth resuscitation). You may use a CPR mask if available. Give the victim a deep breath. Rescue breath must be big enough to make the chest rise. Let the chest fall, then repeat the rescue breath once more.

Step 4: Repeat Chest Compressions and Rescue Breathing

Do 30 more chest compressions just like you did in step 2. Then give two more rescue breaths just like you did in step 3. 

Step 5: Use AED if available

If you have access to an AED or Automated External Defibrillator, continue to do CPR until you can attach the device to the cardiac arrest victim and turn it on. If you saw the victim collapse, immediately put the Automated External Defibrillator on. If not, attach it after one minute of CPR.

According to American Heart Association, you can only use hands-only CPR if you are untrained or not certified. It involves uninterrupted chest compressions of 100 to 120 per minute (no rescue breaths) until an Emergency Medical Team arrives. However, Hands-Only CPR is not recommended for adults whose cardiac arrest is caused by drug overdose, near-drowning, or an unwitnessed cardiac arrest.

Are You Ready to Do CPR?

Performing CPR on a cardiac arrest victim isn’t hard, but it’s critically important to do it correctly. Learn how to properly do CPR on adults, children, and infants by enrolling in a CPR certification class. CPR Select offers an online CPR/AED training certification course at just $19.95. We are the leading online CPR and First Aid provider in the United States and Internationally. Our training courses and certification exams are created by US Board certified licensed physicians who are trained by American Heart Association.

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