First Aid Guide for Illness & Emergencies

First Aid Guide for Illness & Emergencies

CPR

SERIOUS EMERGENCIES
Call 911 immediately!

Diagram 1: Tilt head back, lift chin.
Diagram 1: Tilt head back, lift chin.
Diagram 2: Push middle chest with both hands.
Diagram 2: Push middle chest with both hands.
Diagram 3: For infants, push just below the nipple line with 2 fingers.
Diagram 3: For infants, push just below the nipple line with 2 fingers.

Before Giving CPR

  • Check the scene and the person. Make sure the scene is safe, then tap the person on the shoulder. Shout “Are you okay?” to be sure the person needs help.

  • If the person needs help, call 911 for assistance first if you’re the only person on the scene. Or, have someone nearby call 911 immediately and get an AED.

  • Open the mouth and airway. With the person lying on his/her back, tilt the head back slightly and lift the chin. (Diagram 1)

  • Check for breathing. Listen carefully. If there is no breathing, begin CPR.

Starting Red Cross CPR

  • Push hard, push fast. Place your hands, one on top of the other, in the middle of the chest.

Red Cross CPR Instructions

  • Use your body weight to help you give a rate of 100 compressions per minute. (Diagram 2)

  • For infants push the middle chest with 2 fingers. (Diagram 3)

    One rescuer

    • Adult: 30 compressions, 2 inches deep, rate 100 to 120/minute, then 2 breaths
    • Child (age 1 to puberty): 30 compressions, 2 inches deep, rate 100 to 120/minute, then 2 breaths
    • Infant: 30 compressions, 1½ inches deep, rate 100 to 120/minute, then 2 breaths

    Two rescuers

    • One person does compressions and one does breaths.
    • Adult: 30 compressions, 2 inches deep, rate 100 to 120/minute, then 2 breaths
    • Child or infant: 15 compressions, 2 inches (child) or 1½ inches (infant) deep, rate 100 to 120/minute, then 2 breaths
    • Trade off every 2 minutes until help arrives

  • Deliver rescue breaths. With the person’s head tilted back slightly and the chin lifted, pinch the nose shut and place your mouth over the person’s mouth to make a complete seal. For an infant, place your mouth over the nose and mouth. Blow into the person’s mouth (infant’s nose and mouth) to make the chest rise. Deliver two rescue breaths, then continue compressions.

  • Continue CPR steps. Keep doing cycles of chest compressions and 2 breaths until the person shows signs of life such as breathing, emergency medical services (EMS) or a trained medical responder arrives on scene, or an AED becomes available. (See AED.)