When and how to use CPR

When you find someone who looks unconscious, you might want to help them but may not be sure what to do. In that situation, there are a few things you first need to check, and then do CPR to bring back the person’s consciousness.

1. Check surroundings for safety. Unsafe situations include the person being near dangerous animals or insects, in the middle of a dam or driveway, or in a burning or falling building.

2. 1. Ask if the person is ok. (For an infant, you can skip this step) You don’t want to end up doing CPR on someone who was perfectly fine all along. But if the person doesn’t respond, check their pulse and breathing. You can check their pulse by putting your index and middle finger on their wrist or neck and check their breathing by looking at their chest.

3. If the person’s pulse is unnaturally slow or if their chest isn’t moving, CALL 911. You must first get help before trying to aid the person yourself because you could be doing CPR all day!

4. If the person is an adult or child, make a fist with your right hand and put your left hand around it. For an infant, only use one fist. Then, locate their sternum and push on it thirty times nonstop. Once again, check their pulse and breathing.

5. If the person still has an unnaturally slow pulse or isn’t breathing, continue the process of pushing thirty times. If there is another person near you, take turns pushing thirty times, because it takes a LOT of energy.

Additional tips: If you find someone who looks like they need CPR in a crowded area, help them. In areas with many people, everyone expects someone else to take care of the person in need, called the Bystander Effect. This may cause the person to not get help quickly. BE THE PERSON TO HELP!

Fun fact: CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.