In today’s stressful and hectic life, there are no guarantees when it comes to health, especially with heart attacks becoming so common. Heart attacks used to mostly affect older people, but now the situation has changed. Young people are also experiencing heart attacks, and much of this is due to unhealthy lifestyle choices. God forbid, if someone is having a heart attack right in front of you, and you’re unable to help – how would that make you feel? This is where knowing CPR can make all the difference.

Knowing how to perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) correctly can save a life in an emergency. Whether it’s a sudden cardiac arrest, drowning, or choking, CPR helps keep blood flowing to the heart and brain until help arrives. In the U.S., around 350,000 cardiac arrests happen outside of hospitals every year, and CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival when done properly.

CPR involves pressing on the chest and giving breaths to help the person’s heart and lungs work again. Many people feel unsure about how to perform CPR or worry they’ll make mistakes, but CPR doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right information, you can act quickly and confidently. 

This guide will take you through how CPR works and its different variations across situations as well as age groups so that you will be ready should you ever need it.

Types of CPR 

Before we explain to you how to do CPR, we first need to know the types of CPR. It’s important to know the different types of CPR because each situation and age group needs a specific approach. Knowing these variations helps you give the best possible help, whether you’re assisting an adult, child, or infant.

There are two types of CPR, both of which can potentially save lives. These are:

1. Hands-Only CPR: This involves calling for help and then performing chest compressions by pushing hard and fast on the center of the chest. Hands-only CPR helps keep blood flowing through the body and is useful if you haven’t had recent CPR training.
2. Traditional CPR with Breaths: This method combines chest compressions with mouth-to-mouth breaths. It helps provide more oxygen to the body during critical moments before professional help arrives.

If you’re not trained in CPR or if your training is outdated, it’s best to use hands-only CPR. This technique is suitable for adults and teens.

On the other hand, if you are trained and comfortable with it, you can use traditional CPR, which is suitable for anyone, including adults, teens, children, and infants.

But remember, both the approaches need a CPR Certification course. This certificate can be obtained by enrolling in online CPR courses.

Chest Compressions

Both hands-only CPR and CPR with breaths include chest compressions. The primary goal of chest compressions is to manually pump blood through the heart and maintain circulation to vital organs, especially the brain. 

To perform effective chest compressions, one should place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest, place the other hand on top, and interlock the fingers. Compressions should be delivered at a depth of about 2 inches (5 cm) and at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute. It’s essential to allow the chest to fully recoil between compressions to maximize blood flow.

Many experts might not know that the optimal depth and rate of chest compressions were derived from studies on pigs. Researchers found that compressions at a depth of 2 inches and a rate of 100-120 per minute provided the best outcomes for maintaining blood flow and oxygen delivery. 

This research has been instrumental in shaping current CPR guidelines and improving survival rates in cardiac arrest cases.

Importance of CPR

CPR is a life-saving technique used to keep people who experience sudden cardiac arrest or other emergencies alive until advanced medical help arrives. The main goal of CPR is to ensure that oxygen continues to flow into and out of the lungs and that oxygen-rich blood keeps circulating through the body. This helps prevent brain damage and delay the death of tissues.

Here are some key reasons why CPR is important:

1. Increases Survival Chances

Immediate CPR is crucial because it significantly increases the chances of survival for someone experiencing cardiac arrest. When CPR is administered right away, it can double or even triple the likelihood of survival. 

For instance, statistics show that the survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests is around 10% when bystander CPR is performed, compared to just 2% to 8% without it. 

This immediate intervention helps maintain blood flow to vital organs, buying precious time until professional medical help arrives.

2. Maintains Blood Flow

CPR is essential for keeping blood flowing to the brain and other important organs when the heart stops beating. Performing chest compressions helps pump the heart manually, making sure that oxygen-rich blood keeps circulating. 

For instance, if someone collapses from sudden cardiac arrest, starting CPR right away can keep the blood flowing until emergency services arrive, greatly improving the chances of survival. 

This steady flow of blood is critical in preventing brain damage and other problems that can occur when the body isn’t getting enough oxygen.

3. Prevents Brain Damage

CPR is essential in preventing brain damage during cardiac arrest by ensuring a continuous supply of oxygen-rich blood to the brain.

Without this intervention, brain cells can begin to die within minutes due to lack of oxygen, leading to irreversible damage or death. 

For instance, if a person collapses and stops breathing, performing CPR can help maintain blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain, significantly reducing the risk of severe brain injury until professional medical help arrives.

4. Part of the Chain of Survival

The Chain of Survival is a series of important steps that help improve the chances of surviving a cardiac arrest. It includes quickly recognizing the emergency, calling for help, starting CPR right away, using a defibrillator if available, getting advanced medical support, and receiving care after the event. 

The Chain of Survival was first introduced in 1988 and is now a key part of emergency heart care. Studies show that if each step is done correctly and quickly, it can greatly increase the chances of survival. 

This approach emphasizes that every second is crucial and can make a big difference in saving lives.

How to Perform High-Quality CPR

The way you give CPR can vary depending on the person’s age or size. Infants, children, and adults each need different approaches for CPR. Here are the key steps on how to give CPR:

1. Assess the Situation

To start CPR, first check if the person is responsive. Gently shake their shoulders and ask loudly, “Are you okay?” If they don’t respond, it means they might need help. 

Next, look to see if they are breathing normally and check for a pulse, which you can do by placing two fingers on their neck or wrist. 

For example, if you find someone collapsed at a park and they don’t wake up when you shake them, and you don’t see them breathing or feel a pulse, it’s crucial to start CPR immediately and call for emergency assistance.

2. Position the Person

Now, start by carefully placing the person on their back on a firm, flat surface. It’s important that the surface is hard because a soft surface like a bed can make chest compressions less effective. 

Make sure the person is lying straight and flat so that you can perform chest compressions correctly. If the person is on their side or in a position that’s not flat, gently roll them onto their back. 

This position helps ensure that your chest compressions are effective and that the person’s airway remains open.

3. Chest Compressions

We have already discussed it previously. Let’s dig a little deeper. So, when performing chest compressions, it’s crucial to push hard and fast in the center of the chest. 

Aim for a depth of about 2 inches and a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute, which is roughly the beat of the song “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees. This rhythm is not just a catchy tune, it actually helps maintain the correct compression rate during CPR. 

Interestingly, most people don’t realize that the ideal depth for compressions is based on research indicating that compressing too shallowly or too slowly can significantly reduce the effectiveness of CPR. 

Studies have shown that compressions at the right depth and speed are essential for circulating blood effectively, but many experts don’t emphasize this as strongly as they should.

4. Rescue Breaths

To give effective rescue breaths, first, open the person’s airway by tilting their head back slightly and lifting their chin. Pinch their nose shut and cover their mouth with yours, making sure to create a good seal. Give 2 breaths, each lasting about 1 second, and watch for their chest to rise. 

A lesser-known fact is that research shows delivering breaths with a bit of extra pressure, similar to blowing up a balloon, can actually be more effective. 

Despite this, many CPR training programs stick to the basic 1-second guideline. This small adjustment can make a significant difference in maintaining oxygen flow to the brain and vital organs.

5. Continue CPR

Continuing CPR means keeping a steady rhythm of 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths without stopping until help arrives or the person shows signs of life. The goal is to keep oxygen-rich blood flowing to the brain and vital organs. 

Performing CPR for over 30 minutes can still result in successful resuscitation in some cases, particularly in cold-water drowning victims. Cold temperatures can slow the body’s processes, allowing the brain to survive longer without oxygen. 

For example, a case in Norway involved a skier (Anna Bagenholm) who survived after being submerged in icy water for over an hour, thanks to prolonged CPR combined with advanced medical treatment.

6. Using an AED

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a crucial tool in emergencies, as it can restore a normal heart rhythm during a cardiac arrest by delivering a controlled electric shock.

Interestingly, AEDs have built-in technology that can analyze the heart’s rhythm and determine if a shock is needed; this allows even untrained bystanders to use them effectively. 

Most experts might not realize that AEDs are designed to provide step-by-step voice instructions, making them accessible and user-friendly for everyone, including those without medical training. When you encounter an AED, follow the prompts and apply the pads to the person’s chest as directed. 

This simple device can significantly increase survival chances, especially when used immediately in combination with high-quality CPR.

CPR for Different Age Groups

By now, we already know how to perform CPR. But CPR can be done differently for different age groups. To understand it better, let’s highlight the key differences between Adult CPR and Child/Infant CPR:

	Adult CPR	Child CPR (1 year to puberty)	Infant CPR (Under 1 year)
Hand Placement	Heel of one hand in the center of the chest; other hand on top.	Heel of one hand in the center of the chest; or two fingers if using one hand.	Use two fingers in the center of the chest, just below the nipple line.
Compression Depth	2 inches (5 cm) deep.	About 2 inches (5 cm) deep, but may vary based on the child’s size.	About 1.5 inches (4 cm) deep.
Compression Rate	100-120 compressions per minute.	100-120 compressions per minute.	100-120 compressions per minute.
Breaths to Compressions	2 breaths after every 30 compressions.	2 breaths after every 30 compressions.	2 breaths after every 30 compressions.
Compression Technique	Use both hands with straight arms.	Can use one hand or two hands depending on the child’s size and rescuer’s strength.	Use two fingers, keeping them straight.
Airway Opening	Tilt head back and lift chin.	Tilt head back and lift chin gently.	Tilt head back slightly, being cautious not to overextend.
Breath Volume	Each breath should last about 1 second.	Each breath should last about 1 second.	Each breath should last about 1 second.
Use of AED	Follow AED instructions as soon as available.	Follow AED instructions as soon as available.	Follow AED instructions as soon as available; use pediatric pads if available.

For children and infants, the depth of compressions is less compared to adults due to their smaller size.

The number of compressions and breaths remains consistent, but the technique and force applied are adjusted according to the age and size of the person receiving CPR.

Ready to Save a Life? Learn CPR Today

Performing CPR correctly is a crucial skill that can save lives in emergencies. Remember to stay calm and act quickly, following the steps for chest compressions and rescue breaths. Understanding how to adjust CPR for different age groups and using an AED can further increase the chances of survival. Regular practice and CPR certification will help you feel more confident in your abilities. The knowledge and readiness to perform CPR can make a significant difference when it counts the most. Always be prepared, and don’t hesitate to use this life-saving technique if needed.