First Aid: CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is used when the victim isn’t breathing and has no pulse. CPR alternates rescue breathing with chest compressions to act in place of the lungs and heart. A CPR class will teach you the correct way to reproduce the heart’s pumping action. The information below gives you only the basics of CPR. It is not intended to replace professional instruction.

The ABC’s of CPR

Airway

Open the airway by tilting back the head and raising the chin.

Breathing

If breathing has stopped, blow two full breaths into the victim’s mouth.

Circulation

If the victim has no pulse, compress the chest to circulate blood manually through the heart to the body. Do this only if you have had training. In a CPR class, you learn how to compress the chest correctly. If you do chest compressions incorrectly, you may injure the victim’s ribs or lungs.