CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is an emergency lifesaving procedure that is done when someone’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. This may happen after an electric shock, heart attack, or drowning.

CPR combines rescue breathing and chest compressions.

• Rescue breathing provides oxygen to the person’s lungs.
• Chest compressions keep oxygen-rich blood flowing until the heartbeat and breathing can be restored.

Permanent brain damage or death can occur within minutes if blood flow stops. Therefore, it is very important that blood flow and breathing be continued until trained medical help arrives. Emergency (911) operators can guide you through the process.

CPR techniques vary slightly depending on the age or size of the patient, including different techniques for adults and children 9 years and older, children 1 through 8 years old, and infants.

CPR – adult and child 9 years and older

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation – adult; Rescue breathing and chest compressions – adult; Resuscitation – cardiopulmonary – adult; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation – child 9 years and older; Rescue breathing and chest compressions – child 9 years and older; Resuscitation – cardiopulmonary – child 9 years and older

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is a lifesaving procedure that is done when someone’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. This may happen after an electric shock , drowning, or heart attack. CPR involves:

• Rescue breathing, which provides oxygen to a person’s lungs.
• Chest compressions, which keep the person’s blood circulating.

Permanent brain damage or death can occur within minutes if a person’s blood flow stops. Therefore, you must continue CPR until the person’s heartbeat and breathing return, or trained medical help arrives.

Considerations

CPR is best done by someone trained in an accredited CPR course. The procedures described here are NOT a substitute for CPR training. The newest techniques emphasize compression over rescue breathing and airway management, reversing a long-standing practice. See www.americanheart.org for classes near you.

Time is very important when an unconscious person is not breathing. Permanent brain damage begins after only 4 minutes without oxygen, and death can occur as soon as 4 to 6 minutes later.

Machines called automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can be found in many public places, and are available for home use. These machines have pads or paddles to place on the chest during a life-threatening emergency. They automatically check the heart rhythm and give a sudden shock if, and only if, that shock is needed to get the heart back into the right rhythm. When using an AED, follow the instructions exactly.

Causes

In adults, major reasons that heartbeat and breathing stop include:

• Drug overdose
• Excessive bleeding
• Heart problem (heart attack or abnormal heart rhythm, fluid in the lungs or compressing the heart)
• Infection in the bloodstream ( sepsis )
• Injuries and accidents
• Drowning
• Stroke

There are many things that cause an older child or teen’s heartbeat and breathing to stop, including:

• Choking
• Drowning
• Electrical shock
• Excessive bleeding
• Head trauma or serious injury
• Lung disease
• Poisoning
• Suffocation

Symptoms

CPR should be done if a person has any of the following symptoms:

• No breathing or difficulty breathing (gasping)
• No pulse
• Unconsciousness

First Aid

1. Check for responsiveness . Shake or tap the person gently. See if the person moves or makes a noise. Shout, “Are you okay?”

2. Call 911 if there is no response . Shout for help and send someone to call 911. If you are alone, call 911 and retrieve an AED (if available), even if you have to leave the person.

3. Carefully place the person on the back. If there is a chance the person has a spinal injury, two people should move the person to prevent the head and neck from twisting.

4. Perform chest compressions :

• Place the heel of one hand on the breastbone — right between the nipples.
• Place the heel of your other hand on top of the first hand.
• Position your body directly over your hands.
• Give 30 chest compressions. These compressions should be fast and hard. Press down about 2 inches (5 centimeters) into the chest. Each time, let the chest rise completely. Count the 30 compressions quickly: “1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30, off”.

5. Open the airway. Lift up the chin with two fingers. At the same time, tilt the head by pushing down on the forehead with the other hand.

6. Look, listen and feel for breathing. Place your ear close to the person’s mouth and nose. Watch for chest movement. Feel for breath on your cheek.

7. If the person is not breathing or has trouble breathing :

• Cover their mouth tightly with your mouth.
• Pinch the nose closed.
• Keep the chin lifted and head tilted.
• Give two rescue breaths. Each breath should take about a second and make the chest rise.

8. Repeat chest compressions and rescue breathing until the person recovers or helps arrive. If an AED for adults is available, use it as soon as possible.

If the person starts breathing again, place him or her in the recovery position. Keep checking for breathing until help arrives.

Do Not

• If the person has normal breathing, coughing, or movement, do NOT begin chest compressions. Doing so may cause the heart to stop beating.
• Unless you are a health professional, do NOT check for a pulse. Only a health care professional is properly trained to check for a pulse.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

• If you have help , tell one person to call 911 while another person begins CPR.
• If you are alone , as soon as you determine that the person is unresponsive, call 911 immediately. Then begin CPR.

Prevention

In adults, to avoid injuries and heart problems that can lead to the heart stopping beating:

• Eliminate or reduce risk factors that contribute to heart disease, such as cigarette smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and stress.
• Get plenty of exercise.
• See your health care provider regularly.
• Always use seat belts and drive safely.
• Avoid using illegal drugs.

Most children need CPR because of a preventable accident. The following tips may help prevent some accidents in children:

• Teach your children the basic principles of family safety.
• Teach your child to swim.
• Teach your child to watch for cars and ride bikes safely.
• Teach your child firearm safety. If you have guns in your home, keep them locked in an isolated cabinet.

CPR – child (1 to 8 years old)

Rescue breathing and chest compressions – child; Resuscitation – cardiopulmonary – child; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation – child

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is a lifesaving procedure that is done when a child’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. This may happen after drowning, suffocation, choking, or an injury. CPR involves:

• Rescue breathing, which provides oxygen to a child’s lungs
• Chest compressions, which keep the child’s blood circulating

Permanent brain damage or death can occur within minutes if a child’s blood flow stops. Therefore, you must continue CPR until the child’s heartbeat and breathing return, or trained medical help arrive.

Considerations

CPR is best done by someone trained in an accredited CPR course. The newest techniques emphasize compression over rescue breathing and airway management, reversing a long-standing practice.

All parents and those who take care of children should learn infant and child CPR if they have not already. See www.heart.org for classes near you.

Time is very important when dealing with an unconscious child who is not breathing. Permanent brain damage begins after only 4 minutes without oxygen, and death can occur as soon as 4 to 6 minutes later.

Machines called automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can be found in many public places, and are available for home use. These machines have pads or paddles to place on the chest during a life-threatening emergency. They use computers to automatically check the heart rhythm and give a sudden shock if, and only if, that shock is needed to get the heart back into the right rhythm. When using an AED, follow the instructions exactly.

The procedures described in this article are NOT a substitute for CPR training.

Causes

There are many things that cause a child’s heartbeat and breathing to stop. Some reasons you may need to do CPR on a child include:

• Choking
• Drowning
• Electrical shock
• Excessive bleeding
• Head trauma or serious injury
• Lung disease
• Poisoning
• Suffocation

Symptoms

CPR should be done if the child has any of the following symptoms:

• No breathing
• No pulse
• Unconsciousness

First Aid

1. Check for alertness. Shake or tap the child gently. See if the child moves or makes a noise. Shout, “Are you okay?”

2. If there is no response, shout for help. Tell someone to call 911 and get an AED if available. Do not leave the child alone until you have done CPR for about 2 minutes.

3. Carefully place the child on their back. If there is a chance the child has a spinal injury, two people should move the child to prevent the head and neck from twisting.

4. Perform chest compressions:

•Place the heel of one hand on the breastbone — just below the nipples. Make sure your heel is not at the very end of the breastbone.
•Keep your other hand on the child’s forehead, keeping the head tilted back.
•Press down on the child’s chest so that it compresses about 1/3 to 1/2 the depth of the chest.
•Give 30 chest compressions. Each time, let the chest rise completely. These compressions should be fast and hard with no pausing. Count the 30 compressions quickly: “1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30, off”.

5. Open the airway. Lift up the chin with one hand. At the same time, tilt the head by pushing down on the forehead with the other hand.

6. Look, listen, and feel for breathing. Place your ear close to the child’s mouth and nose. Watch for chest movement. Feel for breath on your cheek.

7. If the child is not breathing:

•Cover the child’s mouth tightly with your mouth.
•Pinch the nose closed.
•Keep the chin lifted and head tilted.
•Give two rescue breaths. Each breath should take about a second and make the chest rise.

8. After about 2 minutes of CPR, if the child still does not have normal breathing, coughing, or any movement, leave the child if you are alone and call 911. If an AED for children is available, use it now.

9. Repeat rescue breathing and chest compressions until the child recovers or help arrives.

If the child starts breathing again, place him or her in the recovery position. Keep checking for breathing until help arrives.

Do Not

• If you think the child has a spinal injury , pull the jaw forward without moving the head or neck. Do NOT let the mouth close.
• If the child has signs of normal breathing, coughing, or movement, do NOT begin chest compressions. Doing so may cause the heart to stop beating.
• Unless you are a health professional, do NOT check for a pulse. Only a health care professional is properly trained to check for a pulse.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

• If you have help , tell one person to call 911 while another person begins CPR.
• If you are alone , shout loudly for help and begin CPR. After doing CPR for about 2 minutes, if no help has arrived, call 911. You may carry the child with you to the nearest phone (unless you suspect a spinal injury).

Prevention

Most children need CPR because of a preventable accident. The following tips may help prevent an accident:

• Teach your children the basic principles of family safety.
• Teach your child to swim.
• Teach your child to watch for cars and how to ride a bike safely.
• Make sure you follow the guidelines for using children’s car seats .
• Teach your child firearm safety. If you have guns in your home, keep them locked in an isolated cabinet.
• Teach your child the meaning of “don’t touch.”

Never underestimate what a child can do. Assume the child can move and pick up things more than you think they can. Think about what the child may get into next, and be ready. Climbing and squirming are to be expected. Always use safety straps on high chairs and strollers.

Choose age-appropriate toys. Do not give small children toys that are heavy or fragile. Inspect toys for small or loose parts, sharp edges, points, loose batteries, and other hazards. Keep toxic chemicals and cleaning solutions safely stored in childproof cabinets.

Create a safe environment and supervise children carefully, particularly around water and near furniture. Electrical outlets, stove tops, and medicine cabinets can be dangerous for small children.

CPR – adult and child 9 years and older

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation – adult; Rescue breathing and chest compressions – adult; Resuscitation – cardiopulmonary – adult; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation – child 9 years and older; Rescue breathing and chest compressions – child 9 years and older; Resuscitation – cardiopulmonary – child 9 years and older

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is a lifesaving procedure that is done when someone’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. This may happen after an  electric shock , drowning, or heart attack. CPR involves:

• Rescue breathing, which provides oxygen to a person’s lungs.
• Chest compressions, which keep the person’s blood circulating.

Permanent brain damage or death can occur within minutes if a person’s blood flow stops. Therefore, you must continue CPR until the person’s heartbeat and breathing return, or trained medical help arrives.

Considerations

CPR is best done by someone trained in an accredited CPR course. The procedures described here are NOT a substitute for CPR training. The newest techniques emphasize compression over rescue breathing and airway management, reversing a long-standing practice. See www.americanheart.org for classes near you.

Time is very important when an unconscious person is not breathing. Permanent brain damage begins after only 4 minutes without oxygen, and death can occur as soon as 4 to 6 minutes later.

Machines called automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can be found in many public places, and are available for home use. These machines have pads or paddles to place on the chest during a life-threatening emergency. They automatically check the heart rhythm and give a sudden shock if, and only if, that shock is needed to get the heart back into the right rhythm. When using an AED, follow the instructions exactly.

Causes

In adults, major reasons that heartbeat and breathing stop include:

• Drug overdose
• Excessive bleeding
• Heart problem (heart attack or abnormal heart rhythm, fluid in the lungs or compressing the heart)
• Infection in the bloodstream ( sepsis )
• Injuries and accidents
• Drowning
• Stroke

There are many things that cause an older child or teen’s heartbeat and breathing to stop, including:

• Choking
• Drowning
• Electrical shock
• Excessive bleeding
• Head trauma or serious injury
• Lung disease
• Poisoning
• Suffocation

Symptoms

CPR should be done if a person has any of the following symptoms:

• No breathing or difficulty breathing (gasping)
• No pulse
• Unconsciousness

First Aid

1. Check for responsiveness . Shake or tap the person gently. See if the person moves or makes a noise. Shout, “Are you okay?”

2. Call 911 if there is no response . Shout for help and send someone to call 911. If you are alone, call 911 and retrieve an AED (if available), even if you have to leave the person.

3. Carefully place the person on the back. If there is a chance the person has a spinal injury, two people should move the person to prevent the head and neck from twisting.

4. Perform chest compressions :

• Place the heel of one hand on the breastbone — right between the nipples.
• Place the heel of your other hand on top of the first hand.
• Position your body directly over your hands.
• Give 30 chest compressions. These compressions should be fast and hard. Press down about 2 inches (5 centimeters) into the chest. Each time, let the chest rise completely. Count the 30 compressions quickly: “1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30, off”.

5. Open the airway . Lift up the chin with two fingers. At the same time, tilt the head by pushing down on the forehead with the other hand.

6. Look, listen, and feel for breathing . Place your ear close to the person’s mouth and nose. Watch for chest movement. Feel for breath on your cheek.

7. If the person is not breathing or has trouble breathing :

• Cover their mouth tightly with your mouth.
• Pinch the nose closed.
• Keep the chin lifted and head tilted.
• Give two rescue breaths. Each breath should take about a second and make the chest rise.

8. Repeat chest compressions and rescue breathing until the person recovers or help arrives. If an AED for adults is available, use it as soon as possible.

If the person starts breathing again, place him or her in the recovery position. Keep checking for breathing until help arrives.

Do Not

• If the person has normal breathing, coughing, or movement, do NOT begin chest compressions. Doing so may cause the heart to stop beating.
• Unless you are a health professional, do NOT check for a pulse. Only a health care professional is properly trained to check for a pulse.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

• If you have help , tell one person to call 911 while another person begins CPR.
• If you are alone , as soon as you determine that the person is unresponsive, call 911 immediately. Then begin CPR.

Prevention

In adults, to avoid injuries and heart problems that can lead to the heart stopping beating:

• Eliminate or reduce risk factors that contribute to heart disease, such as cigarette smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and stress.
• Get plenty of exercise.
• See your health care provider regularly.
• Always use seat belts and drive safely.
• Avoid using illegal drugs.

Most children need CPR because of a preventable accident. The following tips may help prevent some accidents in children:

• Teach your children the basic principles of family safety.
• Teach your child to swim.
• Teach your child to watch for cars and ride bikes safely.
• Teach your child firearm safety. If you have guns in your home, keep them locked in an isolated cabinet.

CPR – infant

Rescue breathing and chest compressions – infant; Resuscitation – cardiopulmonary – infant; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation – infant

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is a lifesaving procedure that is done when a baby’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. This may happen after drowning, suffocation, choking, or other injuries. CPR involves:

• Rescue breathing, which provides oxygen to the lungs.
• Chest compressions, which keep the blood flowing.

Permanent brain damage or death can occur within minutes if a baby’s blood flow stops. Therefore, you must continue these procedures until the infant’s heartbeat and breathing return, or trained medical help arrives.

Considerations

CPR is best done by someone trained in an accredited CPR course. The newest techniques emphasize compression over rescue breathing and airway, reversing long-standing practice.

All parents and those who take care of children should learn infant and child CPR. See www.americanheart.org for classes near you. The procedures described here are NOT a substitute for CPR training.

Time is very important when dealing with an unconscious baby who is not breathing. Permanent brain damage begins after only 4 minutes without oxygen, and death can occur as soon as 4 to 6 minutes later.

Machines called automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can be found in many public places, and are available for home use. These machines have pads or paddles to place on the chest during a life-threatening emergency. They automatically check the heart rhythm and give a sudden shock if, and only if, that shock is needed to get the heart back into the right rhythm. Make sure the AED can be used on infants. When using an AED, follow the instructions exactly.

Causes

There are many things that cause an infant’s heartbeat and breathing to stop. Some reasons you may need to do CPR on an infant include:

• Choking
• Drowning
• Electrical shock
• Excessive bleeding
• Head trauma or serious injury
• Lung disease
• Poisoning
• Suffocation

Symptoms

CPR should be done if the infant has the following symptoms:

• No breathing
• No pulse
• Unconsciousness

First Aid

1. Check for alertness . Shake or tap the infant gently. See if the infant moves or makes a noise. Shout, “Are you OK”?

2. If there is no response, shout for help . Tell someone to call 911 and get an AED, if available. Do not leave the infant yourself to call 911 until you have done CPR for about 2 minutes.

3. Carefully place the infant on their back . If there is a chance the infant has a spinal injury, two people should move the infant to prevent the head and neck from twisting.

4. Perform chest compressions :

• Place 2 fingers on the breastbone — just below the nipples. Make sure not to press at the very end of the breastbone.
• Keep your other hand on the infant’s forehead, keeping the head tilted back.
• Press down on the infant’s chest so that it compresses about one third to one half the depth of the chest.
• Give 30 chest compressions. Each time, let the chest rise completely. These compressions should be FAST and hard with no pausing. Count the 30 compressions quickly: (“1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30, off.”)

5. Open the airway . Lift up the chin with one hand. At the same time, tilt the head by pushing down on the forehead with the other hand.

6. Look, listen, and feel for breathing . Place your ear close to the infant’s mouth and nose. Watch for chest movement. Feel for breath on your cheek.

7. If the infant is not breathing :

• Cover the infant’s mouth and nose tightly with your mouth.
• Or, cover just the nose. Hold the mouth shut.
• Keep the chin lifted and head tilted.
• Give 2 rescue breaths. Each breath should take about a second and make the chest rise.

8. After about 2 minutes of CPR, if the infant still does not have normal breathing, coughing, or any movement, leave the infant if you are alone and call 911 . If an AED for children is available, use it now.

9. Repeat rescue breathing and chest compressions until the infant recovers or help arrives.

Keep rechecking for breathing until help arrives.

Do Not

• Do NOT lift the infant’s chin while tilting the head back to move the tongue away from the windpipe. If you think the baby has a spinal injury , pull the jaw forward without moving the head or neck. Do NOT let the mouth close.
• If the infant has normal breathing, coughing, or movement, do NOT begin chest compressions. Doing so may cause the heart to stop beating.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

• If you have help , tell one person to call 911 while another person begins CPR.
• If you are alone , shout loudly for help and begin CPR. After doing CPR for about 2 minutes, if no help has arrived, call 911. You may carry the infant with you to the nearest phone (unless you suspect a spinal injury).

Prevention

Most children need CPR because of a preventable accident. The following tips may help prevent some accidents in children:

• Never underestimate what an infant can do. Assume the baby can move more than you think.
• Never leave an infant unattended on a bed, table, or other surface from which the infant could roll off.
• Always use safety straps on high chairs and strollers. Never leave an infant in a mesh playpen with one side down. Follow the guidelines for using infant car seats.
• Teach your baby the meaning of “don’t touch”. The earliest safety lesson is “No!”
• Choose age-appropriate toys. Do not give infants toys that are heavy or fragile. Inspect toys for small or loose parts, sharp edges, points, loose batteries, and other hazards.
• Create a safe environment. Watch children carefully, particularly around water and near furniture.
• Keep toxic chemicals and cleaning solutions safely stored in childproof cabinets.
• To reduce the risk of choking accidents, make sure infants and small children cannot reach buttons, watch batteries, popcorn, coins, grapes, or nuts.
• Sit with an infant while he or she eats. Do not allow an infant to crawl around while eating or drinking from a bottle.
• Never tie pacifiers, jewelry, chains, bracelets, or anything else around an infant’s neck or wrists.