Knowing how to perform CPR is a skill everyone should know. When someone’s heart stops, whether they’re a stranger or someone you know, the people standing nearby have the power to keep them alive until professional help arrives.
What is CPR?
Knowing how to perform CPR begins with understanding what it is. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a first aid technique that combines chest compressions and rescue breaths to keep someone alive when they have stopped breathing properly their heart has stopped. In either case, blood stops delivering oxygen to the brain, and within minutes it and other vital organs can begin to suffer damage.
CPR combines chest compressions, which manually pumps blood through the body, with rescue breaths, which restores oxygen to the lungs. Together, these actions buy precious time until emergency medical help arrives.
The “chain of survival” explains why CPR matters. This chain has several links: recognising that something is wrong, calling emergency services, CPR to keep blood flowing, defibrillation to restart the heart if necessary, and care from professionals. Each link depends on the one before it. Without CPR, the chain breaks and survival chances drop by 7 to 10% for every minute that passes.
When to Perform CPR
You should start CPR when someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally. These two signs together indicate cardiac arrest. Someone in cardiac arrest may take occasional gasps that are irregular, infrequent, and may sound like snorting or gurgling. If you see gasping but no normal breathing, the person needs CPR.
When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and start CPR. The risk of performing CPR on someone who does not need it is far less serious than failing to help someone who does.
The DRSABCD Action Plan
The DRSABCD action plan provides a framework for responding to any emergency. It can help you remember the actions you need to take when faced with the pressure and duress of a real life emergency.
D stands for Danger: Before you approach the person, check the area for hazards that could hurt you, such as traffic, fire, electrical dangers, or unstable structures. You cannot help anyone if you become a casualty yourself. Wait for emergency services or, if possible, remove the hazard or move the person to safety.
R stands for Response: Check to see if the person is conscious by shouting “Can you hear me?” and squeeze their shoulders. If they do not respond, proceed to the next steps.
S stands for Send for help: Call triple zero (000) immediately or have someone else nearby make the call for you. If you are alone, call first as the operator can guide you through CPR steps while you work.
A stands for Airway: Open the person’s mouth to check inside for any visible obstructions such as teeth, food, or vomit. If any blockages are present, use two fingers to remove them. Never perform a blind sweep by attempting to remove suspected blockages you can’t see as this can accidentally push them deeper.
B stands for Breathing: Quickly look, listen, and feel for signs of normal breathing. If the person is not breathing normally, or only gasping, move immediately to CPR.
C stands for CPR: Begin the cycle of chest compressions and rescue breaths.
D stands for Defibrillation: If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available and needed, attach it to the person and follow the voice prompts to deliver a shock. Return to the cycle of CPR in between each shock.
How to Perform CPR: Step-by-Step
Once you have confirmed the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, and someone has called triple zero, it is time to start CPR.
First, place the person on their back on a firm, flat surface. Kneel beside them at the level of their chest and place the heel of your hand on the lower half of their breastbone in the centre of their chest. Put your other hand on top of the first and interlock your fingers. Position your shoulders directly over your hands and keep your arms straight.
Use your body weight to press straight down. Push hard and fast to compress the chest by about 5 centimetres at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions a minute or 1 to 2 each second for a total of 30 chest compressions. Allow the chest to fully recoil between each one.
Next, open the airway by tilting their head back with the palm of one hand and tilting their chin away with your other hand. Using the hand on their forehead, pinch the soft part of their nose closed with your finger and thumb. Take a normal-sized breath and seal your lips over the person’s mouth. Blow into their mouth, watching for their chest to rise. Then let their chest fall, and give a second breath. If their chest does not rise, either their head is not tilted correctly or there are unseen blockages in their airway.
Continue CPR until either the person starts to recover, paramedics arrive and take over, an AED becomes available and is needed, or you become too exhausted.
Using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
An AED is a portable device that can analyse the heart’s rhythm and deliver an electrical shock to restore a normal heartbeat in instances of cardiac arrest. They’re designed to be usable by anyone, giving users clear voice prompts that prompt them through each step. To use an AED:
Turn on the device.
Expose the person’s bare chest and attach the adhesive pads as shown in the diagrams on the device.
Make sure no one is touching the person while the AED analyses the heart rhythm.
If a shock is advised, ensure everyone stands clear, then press the shock button when prompted.
Resume CPR
If the AED advises “no shock,” this means the rhythm detected is not one that needs defibrillation and you should safely continue CPR with only 30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths.
How to Perform CPR on a Child
How to perform CPR for children follows the same basic principles as adult CPR, with some adjustments for smaller bodies. While CPR for children over the age of one year old largely remains the same, special consideration needs to be taken when performing CPR for babies and infants.
For how to perform CPR for babies, chest compressions should be shallower, roughly 1/3 the usual depth or around 4cm. You should also only use two fingers rather than two whole hands.
Rescue breaths are also different. When forming a seal, rather than pinching their nose, cover both their nose and mouth with your mouth. Babies do not require a head tilt due to their developing airways. Their more fragile lungs also mean you should deliver gentle puffs of air rather than full breaths.
Finally, you should never use an AED on a child under one. Only trained medical professionals should do so.
Get CPR Trained!
Now you know how to perform CPR. But nothing replaces hands-on practice through a CPR training course with a qualified instructor. Becoming trained in CPR is one of the most valuable investments you can make. It costs a few hours of your time and could allow you to save a life.
FAQs
Can I Hurt Someone by Performing CPR ?
Broken ribs can occur during CPR but this is not a reason to hold back. The risk of death from cardiac arrest far outweighs the risk of rib fractures.
How Long Can Someone Survive Without CPR During Cardiac Arrest?
Brain damage can begin within four to six minutes of the heart stopping due to lack of oxygen, and survival without intervention becomes extremely unlikely after about 10 minutes.
Can I Be Sued for Performing CPR?
Every Australian state and territory has Good Samaritan legislation that protects people who provide emergency assistance in good faith and are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.