Imagine you are at a community event or hanging out with friends when all of a sudden, someone collapses to the ground, their breathing turns into desperate gasps, and panic spreads through the crowd. You feel calm and confident because you know exactly what to do to help them. That’s the power of knowing CPR, a simple skill that can save lives and make a huge difference in emergencies. According to the 2023 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics, out of more than 356,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, 40.2% involved bystander CPR — this is why training is so important. CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a skill that anyone can learn. It helps keep blood and oxygen flowing when a person’s heart or breathing stops, giving them the best chance to recover until medical professionals arrive.
In this quick guide, you’ll learn when to do CPR and how to do it the right way. By the end, you’ll know how to step up with confidence and make a real difference when it matters most.
What Is CPR and Why Does It Matter?
CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is an emergency procedure used when a person’s heart stops beating (cardiac arrest) or they stop breathing. It combines chest compressions with rescue breaths (in trained responders) to manually circulate oxygenated blood to vital organs, especially the brain, until advanced medical care is available. Oxygenated blood is critical because without it, brain cells can begin to suffer irreversible damage within minutes.
The Two Main Types of CPR
There are two main types of CPR:
| Type of CPR | How It’s Done | Who Should Use It |
| Conventional CPR | Chest compressions + rescue breaths | Trained responders or those confident in giving breaths |
| Hands-Only CPR | Chest compressions only | Untrained bystanders or when breaths aren’t possible |
Cardiac arrest can happen suddenly and without warning. Without immediate intervention, brain damage can begin within 4 to 6 minutes, and death can occur within 10 minutes.
Survival Odds Improve with CPR
CPR helps maintain blood flow during this critical window. According to the American Heart Association, early CPR can double or even triple a person’s chances of survival. Yet, fewer than half of those who experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest receive CPR from a bystander.
Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack
Cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. A heart attack is caused by blocked blood flow to the heart, while cardiac arrest means the heart has stopped beating entirely and requires immediate CPR. This is why CPR training is essential. It’s a simple, teachable skill that empowers bystanders to act quickly and effectively in a life-threatening emergency. The faster CPR begins, the better the chances of survival and recovery.
When to Start CPR: Know the Signs to Act Fast
In a real emergency, every second matters. For every minute without CPR, a person’s chance of survival drops by 10%. Recognizing when to perform CPR can literally mean the difference between life and death.
So, how do you know it’s time to take action? If the person quickly regains consciousness and breathing, CPR may not be needed. But if they remain unresponsive and aren’t breathing normally, act fast. Start CPR immediately if the person:
- Is unconscious or not responding when you speak to them or tap their shoulder
- Is not breathing at all, or is only gasping (this is called agonal breathing, and it’s not normal)
- Has no pulse, or you can’t feel a heartbeat within 10 seconds. Don’t spend time checking for a pulse if you’re not trained. Pulse checks can delay action, which is why lay rescuer guidelines focus on checking responsiveness and breathing instead. If in doubt, start CPR.
Note: If in doubt, start CPR, doing it unnecessarily is rarely harmful, but waiting too long can be fatal
The DRSABCD Method: A Step-by-Step CPR Guide
To help remember what to do in a crisis, use the DRSABCD method. It’s a simple checklist for when to do CPR.
- D – Danger
Look around. Make sure there’s no danger to you, the person you’re helping, or anyone nearby. You can’t help if you get hurt too.
- R – Response
Try to wake the person. Speak loudly, tap them on the shoulder, or gently shake them. No response? Move to the next step.
- S – Send for Help
Call emergency services right away (911, or any other emergency number). Use speakerphone mode so you can continue CPR while following the dispatcher’s instructions. If others are nearby, ask someone else to call and bring back help, like an AED (Automated External Defibrillator).
- A – Airway
Tilt the person’s head back slightly and lift their chin. This helps open their airway so they can breathe. If a spinal injury is suspected, use the jaw-thrust technique instead of the head tilt–chin lift to avoid moving the neck.
- B – Breathing
Check for normal breathing. Look at their chest to see if it’s rising and falling, listen for breath sounds, and feel for air on your cheek. Not breathing normally? It’s time to start CPR.
- C – CPR
Start chest compressions immediately. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest. Add rescue breaths if you’re trained to do so (30 compressions, then 2 breaths). If you’re not trained or feel unsure, do hands-only CPR.
- D – Defibrillation
An AED is a portable device that can restart the heart by delivering an electric shock if needed. Use it if one is available. These devices are often found in public places like airports, gyms, shopping malls, and schools. Follow the voice prompts; it will guide you through every step. If you don’t have one yet, keep doing CPR until help arrives.
How to Do CPR the Right Way (For Adults, Kids, and Babies)?
Knowing when to do CPR properly is just as important as knowing when to start. Below is a breakdown of how to do CPR correctly for adults, children, and infants, as each requires a slightly different approach:
Step 1: Chest Compressions
Chest compressions are the most critical part of CPR.
For Adults and Teens:
- Place the heel of one hand in the center of the chest, on the lower half of the breastbone (sternum).
- Put your other hand on top and interlock your fingers.
- Press down hard and fast at least 2 inches (5 cm) deep at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Think of the beat of the song “Stayin’ Alive” or “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper to help keep pace.
- Keep your arms straight, shoulders directly above your hands, and use your upper body weight, not just your arms, to press down.
For Children:
- Compress about 2 inches deep, which is roughly one-third the depth of the chest. Use one or two hands, depending on the child’s size.
- For infants (under 1 year old), use two fingers for single-rescuer CPR.
- Place them just below the nipple line and compress the chest about 1.5 inches (4 cm) deep.
- If two rescuers are present, use the two-thumb encircling hands technique for better compression efficiency.
- Always allow the chest to recoil between compressions fully. Don’t lean on the chest, and try to avoid any long pauses. Only stop when giving breaths or using an AED.
Common mistakes to avoid include pushing too shallow, pausing compressions for too long, leaning on the chest instead of letting it rise, and losing the correct hand placement.
Step 2: Rescue Breaths (If Trained)
If you’re trained in CPR, you should give rescue breaths after every 30 compressions.
- Begin by opening the airway, tilting the person’s head back and lifting the chin.
- For adults and children, pinch the nose shut, cover their mouth with yours, and give a steady breath lasting about one second. Watch for the chest to rise.
- Give a second breath the same way. If the chest doesn’t rise, reposition the head and try again.
- Don’t give large or forceful breaths. For children, a gentle breath is enough to make the chest rise. For infants, use puffs of air from your cheeks, not full breaths.
- If you don’t have a barrier device, or during situations like a pandemic where rescue breaths may pose a risk, skip breaths and continue with hands-only CPR instead.
The CPR Cycle
Whether you are helping an adult, child, or infant, follow the same basic pattern: 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. Keep repeating this cycle 30:2 until the person shows signs of life, an AED is ready to use, professional help arrives, or you physically can’t continue.
Also Read: What You Need to Know for Effective CPR
CPR for Adults vs. Children and Infants
CPR basics stay the same no matter the age: push hard, push fast, and keep oxygen moving. But there are a few key differences in technique for adults, children, and infants, summarized in the table below:
| Aspect | Adults | Children (1–12 years) | Infants (Under 1 Year) |
| Compression Depth | At least 2 inches (5 cm) | About 2 inches (5 cm) | About 1.5 inches (4 cm) |
| Compression Rate | 100–120 compressions per minute | 100–120 compressions per minute | 100–120 compressions per minute |
| Rescue Breaths | 30 compressions, then 2 breaths | Same (30:2), but use smaller, gentler breaths | Same (30:2), very gentle puffs of air |
| Hand Position | Two hands, center of the chest | One hand (or two if needed), center of the chest | Two fingers in the center of the chest |
| AED Use | Use standard AED as soon as possible | Use pediatric pads if available; if not, use adult pads. But make sure they don’t overlap or touch each other. | Use pediatric pads if available; if not, use adult pads, but don’t delay use. But make sure they don’t overlap or touch each other. |
When Should You Not Perform CPR?
While CPR is a powerful life-saving tool, there are certain situations where it should not be performed. Knowing when not to give CPR is just as important as knowing when to start; it helps keep you safe and ensures that you respect the person’s condition and wishes.
Obvious Signs of Death
If the person shows clear signs that they have already passed away, CPR will not help. This includes:
- Rigor mortis – the body has become stiff
- Decomposition – visible breakdown of the body
- Livor mortis – bluish-purple skin discoloration from pooled blood
These are signs that the body has been without circulation for too long, and resuscitation is no longer possible.
Cold skin and fixed pupils can also be indicators, but bystanders should never declare death unless the signs are obvious. These conditions mean the body has been without circulation for too long, and resuscitation is no longer possible.
Valid Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Order
If you are aware that the person has a legal DNR order or another advanced directive that says they do not want to be revived, you must respect that decision. Performing CPR against their wishes could violate their rights and dignity.
DNR orders may be identified through medical bracelets, wallet cards, or official paperwork, which should be checked if available.
Unsafe Scene
Your safety comes first. If the environment is dangerous, such as a fire, flood, electrical hazard, or a violent situation, do not begin CPR until the area is safe. You cannot help anyone if you’re injured in the process.
The Person Has a Pulse
CPR is performed only for people who do not have a pulse or if they face trouble breathing. If the person is conscious, CPR is not needed and should not be performed.
You Physically Can’t Continue
Doing CPR can be tiring, especially if help hasn’t arrived yet. If you get too exhausted, it’s okay to stop. If someone else is around, ask them to take over.
Also Read: Side Effects and Complications of CPR and How to Handle Them
When Should You Stop Performing CPR?
While CPR is meant to keep someone alive until help arrives or their heart starts beating again, there are certain situations when to stop CPR.
Emergency Help Arrives
You should stop CPR as soon as emergency medical services (EMS) or someone with equal or greater training arrives and is ready to take over. Letting professionals handle the situation ensures the person gets the best possible care.
The Person Shows Signs of Life
If the person starts to breathe normally, opens their eyes, moves, coughs, moans, or if you detect a pulse, stop CPR immediately. These are signs that their body is beginning to recover. At that point, monitor their condition and wait for medical help to arrive.
No Response After Prolonged Efforts
If you’ve been doing CPR for about 20 minutes with no sign of recovery and there’s no fixable cause, it may be time to stop. This kind of decision is usually made by trained medical professionals.
A “fixable cause” means a condition that, if corrected, could allow the heart to revive, such as severe bleeding that can be controlled, choking that can be relieved, or hypothermia where rewarming may restore circulation.
Note: If in doubt, continue CPR until help takes over.
Be Ready to Save a Life
CPR is a simple skill that can help save someone’s life. If a person isn’t breathing, has no pulse, or doesn’t respond, start CPR right away. Knowing when to do CPR helps you stay calm and take action in an emergency. Start CPR immediately if the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest and don’t wait for help to arrive. Use rescue breaths and an AED if you’re trained and one is available.
You don’t need to be a doctor to help; anyone can learn CPR. Take an online CPR class today. It only takes a few hours to learn a skill that could save someone’s life tomorrow.
