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Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, also known as CPR, is a set of basic emergency skills designed to help save a person's life when her heart has stopped beating or she has stopped breathing. The American Heart Association, or AHA, emphasizes the importance of CPR by stating that CPR, performed in an effective and timely manner, can double a person's chance of survival. Function of CPR The purpose of CPR is to provide critical body organs with oxygen-rich blood, according Medline Plus. CPR performs two basic functions: Chest compressions help maintain the circulation of blood throughout the victim's body to vital organs in the absence of a pulse, and rescue breathing, such as mouth-to-mouth, helps provide the victim's blood with oxygen in the absence of normal breathing. Why Is CPR Important? When a person stops breathing or his heart stops beating, his body organs no longer are receiving the oxygen needed to stay alive, and the tissues will ultimately begin to die. The most vital organ that must be protected is the brain; in the absence of a pulse or respirations, a person's brain will undergo permanent damage after only four minutes, according to Medline Plus. Performing effective CPR keeps the blood oxygenated and keeps the brain supplied with the oxygen it needs to stay alive and avoid damage.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): Adult

Check for responsiveness 1. Check for responsiveness. Shake or tap the person gently. See if the person moves or makes a noise. Shout, "Are you OK?" 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 automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is available, even if you have to leave the person. 3. Carefully place the person on their 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.

Chest compressions 4. Perform chest compressions: Place the heel of one hand on the breastbone just below 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 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."

Check for breathing 5. Open the airway. Lift up the chin with 2 fingers. At the same time, push down on the forehead with the other hand. 6. Look, listen, and feel for breathing. Place your ear close to the persons mouth and nose. Watch for chest movement. Feel for breath on your cheek.

Person not breathing 7. If the person is not breathing or has trouble breathing: Cover the persons mouth tightly with your mouth. Pinch the nose closed. Keep the chin lifted and head tilted. Give 2 breaths. Each breath should take about a second and make the chest rise. 8. Continue CPR (30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths, then repeat) 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 them in the recovery position. Periodically re-check for breathing until help arrives.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): child 1 to 8 years old

Check for responsiveness 1. Check for responsiveness. Shake or tap the child gently. See if the child moves or makes a noise. Shout, "Are you OK?" 2. If there is no response, shout for help. Send someone to call 911 and retrieve an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is available. Do not leave the child alone to call 911 and retrieve an AED until you have performed 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.

Chest compressions 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."

Child not breathing 5. Open the airway. Lift up the chin with one hand. At the same time, push 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 breaths. Each breath should take about a second and make the chest rise. 8. Continue CPR (30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths, then repeat) for about 2 minutes. 9. 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 andcall 911. If an AED for children is available, use it now. 10. Repeat rescue breathing and chest compressions until the child recovers or help arrives. If the child starts breathing again, place them in the recovery position. Periodically re-check for breathing until help arrives.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): infant

Check for responsiveness 1. Check for responsiveness. 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. Send someone to call 911. Do not leave the infant yourself to call 911 until you have performed 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.

Chest compressions 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 infants forehead, keeping the head tilted back. Press down on the infants 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: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,2 3,24,25,26,27,28,29,30, off. Infant not breathing 5. Open the airway. Lift up the chin with one hand. At the same time, push down on the forehead with the other hand. 6. Look, listen, and feel for breathing. Place your ear close to the infants mouth and nose. Watch for chest movement. Feel for breath on your cheek. 7. If the infant is not breathing: Cover the infants mouth and nose tightly with your mouth. Alternatively, cover just the nose. Hold the mouth shut. Keep the chin lifted and head tilted. Give 2 breaths. Each breath should take about a second and make the chest rise. 8. Continue CPR (30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths, then repeat) for about 2 minutes. 9. After about 2 minutes of CPR, if the infant still does not have normal breathing, coughing, or any movement, leave the infant to call 911. 10. Repeat rescue breathing and chest compressions until the infant recovers or help arrives. If the infant starts breathing again, place them in the recovery position. Periodically re-check for breathing until help arrives.