CPR

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can save the life of someone in cardiac arrest. When a person experiences cardiac arrest, their heart beats irregularly or stops, disrupting the flow of blood to the brain, lungs and rest of the body. Immediately performing CPR helps keep the blood flowing through a person's body until their heart can be shocked back into rhythm with an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Approximately 90% of those who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital die. Performing CPR and using an AED can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.

How to Perform Hands-Only CPR and Use an AED

  1. If the person is unresponsive or not breathing, call 911.
  2. Place the heel of your hand in the center of the person's chest, below the sternum. Place your other hand on top and interlace your fingers.
  3. Push down two inches and allow the chest to come back up.
  4. Push hard and fast, at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute, to the beat of “Stayin’ Alive,” by the Bee Gees, or the children’s song “Baby Shark”.
  5. Continue hands-only CPR until someone takes over or an AED arrives.

How to Perform Hands-Only CPR & Use an AED

Barb Hanneman, a nurse at UnityPoint Health and CPR Instructor, explains the steps of how to perform hands-only CPR and how to use an AED to save a life.

How to Perform Infant and Child CPR

Check to see if the child or infant is breathing and responsive. Yell for help and call 911. If you are alone and do not have a phone, perform 5 sets of 30 compressions and 2 breaths before leaving to call 911.

Infant CPR

  • Place two fingers on the middle of the infant’s chest. Push down 1 ½ inches in depth.
  • Give 30 chest compressions and then give two rescue breaths.
  • Repeat doing 30 compressions and two rescue breaths until an AED arrives or EMS arrives.

Child CPR

  • Place the heel of one or two hands on the middle of the child’s chest. Push down 2 inches in depth.
  • Give 30 chest compressions and then give two rescue breaths.
  • Repeat doing 30 compressions and two rescue breaths until an AED arrives or EMS arrives. AED arrives.

Resource: Infant CPR, 2023 American Heart Association

Learn Hands-Only CPR for Family & Friends

Everyone can benefit by learning hands-only CPR. Knowing how to perform this life-saving technique in an emergency can save a life. Community members who want to learn basic CPR skills and don't need a certification card, can take a Family & Friends course through the American Heart Association.