CPR Training and Guidelines

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving procedure that combines mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions to deliver oxygen and artificial circulation to a person whose breathing or heartbeat has stopped. It is used in medical emergencies such as a heart attack or near drowning experience.

If this technique is started immediately after the heart has stopped beating, it might increase the person's chances of survival although it does not guarantee that the person will survive.

Moreover, if no CPR is performed, lack of oxygen for about 3-4 minutes will make the person brain dead. This technique helps circulate the blood so that it can provide oxygen to the body, and the brain and other organs stay alive while you wait for medical assistance.

According to the American Heart Association there are 3 steps to perform a CPR. Following are the steps to be performed in adults.

In this step, the blood circulation is restored using chest compression.

• Lay the person on his or her back on a firm surface.
• Place the heel of one hand on the lower half of the person's breastbone. Place your other hand on top of the first hand, keeping your elbows straight and positioning your shoulders directly above your hands.

• Apply pressure using your body weight to compress the chest approximately 1½ to 2 inches.
• The rate of compressions should be 100 per minute.
• If you are trained in CPR, check the airway and perform artificial respiration after 30 compressions, else continue with the compressions until there are signs of movement or until medical help arrives.

In this step the airway is cleared.

• After performing 30 chest compressions, tilt the head and lift the chin to clear the person's airway.
• Check whether the breathing is normal without taking more than 5 or 10 seconds. Check to see if the person's chest rises and falls, and listen for normal breathing sounds. Start mouth-to-mouth breathing, if the person is not breathing properly.

This step aims at providing artificial breathing for the person.

• With the head tilt and chin up position, pinch the nose with your fingertips to prevent air from escaping.
• Seal the person's mouth with yours and blow inside the person's mouth. This is called rescue breathing.

• Give 2 full breaths making sure there is no leakage of air. Also, see that the chest rises and falls.
• If the chest does not rise and fall, ensure that you are pinching the nostrils tightly and sealing the mouth properly. Check the airway again for any obstruction if the chest motion is not observed.

• Repeat the cycle of 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths until the arrival of medical assistance.

You can get free CPR classes at your local hospital. Most hospitals have registered nurses (RN's) who run these classes to educate the community. Statistics have shown that the survival rate of patients who have been administered CPR before the emergency services arrive is 40 % more than those who didn't get any CPR.

Red Cross and the American Heart Association also offer complimentary CPR lessons. It is important that every individual is aware about this emergency technique as it can save a person's life.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.