Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Giving CPR to an adult
- Confirm the casualty is unresponsive and not breathing normally, and call for help/AED.
- Give 30 chest compressions in the centre of the chest, pressing hard and fast (about 5-6 cm deep, 100-120 per minute).
- Give 2 rescue breaths, tilting the head back and pinching the nose.
- Continue cycles of 30 compressions to 2 breaths until help arrives, the casualty recovers, or you cannot continue.
CPR keeps oxygenated blood moving to the brain when the heart and breathing have stopped, buying time until a defibrillator or medical help arrives. Good compressions — hard, fast and in the centre of the chest — are the most important part, and are continued with minimal interruption. If the casualty is unconscious but breathing normally, they are placed in the recovery position instead: on their side, with the airway open and clear, so the tongue and any vomit cannot block it, and they are monitored continuously.
WARNING — Good compressions are what matter most In CPR, hard, fast chest compressions with minimal interruption are the single most important factor. Push hard (5-6 cm), fast (100-120 a minute), in the centre of the chest, and keep going.
TIP — Unconscious but breathing: recovery position A casualty who is unconscious but breathing normally is placed on their side in the recovery position, which keeps the airway open and lets fluids drain, and is monitored continuously in case they stop breathing.