Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving skill that is used especially in situations where a person’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. Check out our article on checking for pulse: https://www.theambulancecompany.com/check-for-pulse

In this blog post, we will walk you through each step of performing hands-only CPR and CPR with rescue breaths. Before starting CPR, ensure to call for our emergency service on 09155556030, 09155556040.

Use Hands-only CPR if you’re untrained in performing CPR. If you have been trained in CPR including rescue breaths and feel confident, perform chest compressions with rescue breaths.

Hands-only CPR

Follow these steps to carry out a chest compression:

1. Ensure the person is laid down on their back on a firm surface.
2. Kneel next to the person
3. Place the heel (Lower palm) of your hand on the breastbone at the center of the person’s chest between the nipples.
4. Place your other hand over the one on the chest and interlock your fingers for firmness.
5. Ensure you elbows are straight and your shoulders are directly above your hands
6. Push down on their chest by channeling your body weight through your arms. Press down 5-6 cm(2- 2.5 inches)  on their chest. Ensure you’re not pushing further than 6cm.
7. With your hands still on their chest, release the compression and allow their chest to return to its original position.
8. Repeat the compressions at a rate of 100-120 times per minute until an ambulance arrives. You can use a timer while counting the compressions to ensure you’re getting a minimum of 100 compressions per minute.

CPR with rescue breaths

1. Follow the same guideline above but after 30 chest compressions, give 2 rescue breaths.
2. To give rescue breaths, tilt the head of the person gently and lift their chin up with 2 fingers. Pinch the person’s nose with the aim of blocking airway then put your mouth over theirs, covering it firmly and blow air into it for about 1 second. Check that their chest rises and do this 2 times.
3. Continue this cycle of 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths until they show signs of recovery or an ambulance comes.

NOTE: Do not do this for infants less than 1 year of age.