CPR Steps for Adults

What is CPR? It stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation; a series of steps that are used to aid someone who's not breathing and doesn't have a heartbeat. Learning the proper steps for CPR can help save someone's life. When you properly administer rescue breathing and chest compressions, a victim's body can restore itself with oxygen-filled blood. With this article, you too can learn the steps for CPR for adults. Learn about how you can help save lives with these steps of CPR for adults.

Steps for CPR on Adults

One of the essential things to keep in mind is that when giving CPR, there shouldn't be an interruption between breaths and chest compression. By performing a two person CPR steps, one person can concentrate on giving chest compressions and the other person can concentrate on giving breaths. This way, you can increase the chances of resuscitating the victim much quickly.

Step #1: When you find an unconscious adult and let's say you're all by yourself, call out for help so you can perform the two person cardiopulmonary resuscitation, (CPR). One of you has to check if the victim is responding or not and the other person will dial 911 immediately. To check if the victim is responding, ask him/her, "Are you okay?" or "Can you hear me?" If he/she doesn't respond, go to the next step.

Step #2: For the next 5 to 10 seconds, you will look, listen, and try to feel if the victim is breathing (lightly) or not. Whoever is checking for breathing will be responsible for administering the breaths to the victim. See if the chest is rising up and down; remove some layers of clothes to be thorough. Keep your face on the victim's mouth or as close as you can get to hear if he/she is breathing. Place your hands over the chest to see if you can feel him/her breathing. If you can't find anything positive, go to the next step.

Step #3: If you came negative after all the breathing checks, next on our CPR steps includes giving 2 breaths instantly. For this, lift the victim's chin and tilt the head slightly back. You will place one hand on the victim's forehead and place 2 fingers of the other hand to lift the chin upward. Give the first breath; bring the head back to resting position and check if the chest rises or not. If no results, reposition it to tilted head and lifted chin position and give the second breath. Now if any one of you knows how to check the carotid pulse (placing index and third fingertips under the jaw), check it before the other one begins giving chest compressions.

Step #4: At this time, the other person will begin administering chest compressions. Begin with 30 chest compressions. The heel of your first hand will be placed directly in the center of the victim's chest (between both nipples). Now, take your other hand and place it on top of the first hand.

Step #5: As soon as the chest compressions are being given, the other person will begin giving 2 breaths. Keep following steps 3 and 4 till the victim can breathe on his/her own. Continue administering the 2 breaths and 30 chest compressions till emergency workers arrive.

These were the steps to perform CPR. As emergencies can come unexpectedly, being thoroughly prepared is the key to saving lives. By administering these CPR steps, you can confidently take responsibility of saving someone else's life.