CPR – Components for Adults & Adolescents

Scene safety

  1. Check the environment – making sure it’s safe for rescuers and victims

Recognition of cardiac arrest

  1. Check responsiveness
  2. No breathing or only gasping – ie., no normal breathing
  3. Within 10 seconds – no positive pulse
  • (You can check for a pulse and breathing simultaneously in less than 10 seconds)

Activation of the emergency response system

  • If you do not have a mobile phone – leave the victim and activate the emergency response system while retrieving an AED before performing CPR.
  • Have someone activate the emergency response system. Perform CPR immediately and use the AED as it becomes available.

Compression- ventilation ratio without advanced airway

  • 1 or 2 rescuers – 30:2

Compression- ventilation ratio with advanced airway

  • Chest compressions – 100-120/min
  • Give 1 breath every 6 seconds (10 breaths/min)

Compression rate

  • 100-120/min

Compression depth

  • At least 2 inches (5 cm)

Hand placement

  • 2 hands-on the breastbone (sternum) on the lower half

Chest recoil

  • Make sure not to lean on the chest of the victim – Allow a full recoil after each chest compression

Minimizing interruptions

  • Compression interruptions – limit to less than 10 seconds

Rescuers should never

  • Compress slower than 100/min or faster than 120/min
  • Compress in-depth less than 2 inches (5 cm) or more than 2.4 (6 cm)
  • Lean on victim’s chest during compressions
  • Allow interruption during compressions more than 10 seconds
  • Provide excessive ventilation during breathing task, ie., excessive breathing with force or too many breaths

When to stop CPR
  When you’re too exhausted to continue
  Broken ribs, lung collapses, etc.
  If an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is accessible
  If Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrives


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