Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is a first aid method that could save lifesaving in many medical conditions. This can be performed for the people who succumbed to heart attack, breathing issues such as gasping, unconscious people with no apparent reason and stopped breathing.

This can be performed by anyone who is in the situation. Though there are many speculations that CPR should be performed by only the ones who are certified in it, there are many instances where people were saved by CPR performed by the individuals who had very basic knowledge about it.

As the popular notion, something is better than nothing, it is advisable for you to do something as per your knowledge on CPR to rescue the person rather than waiting for the medical support. When the heart stops pumping, the vital organs such as brain will not be provided with oxygen and nutrients. This lead to severe damage and the person may die in 8-10 minutes if not provided with oxygenated blood.

The compressions provided may reinitiate the heartbeat or pump the blood to the organs through blood vessels. So, next time you find yourself in a lifesaving situation, do not hesitate to perform CPR and here is how you could do it.

Know Your Level – Before proceeding to perform, just ask the people around you if there are any doctor, nurses or people who are CPR certified. If no one is there, here is your checklist to ensure to set a safe atmosphere to perform CPR.

1. Bring the person to a safe place and lie them down on his back.
2. Pull the back of head a bit back to clear the airway.
3. Urge someone to call the medical help.
4. Ask the person if he is okay in a louder tone and if they are conscious ask their name.
5. If the person is not responding check for the vital signs.
6. Keep your ear near the nose of person and hear if there are any gasping or gurgling sounds.
7. Gurgling or no sound of breathing is a sign that the person is not breathing.

Step by Step Revelation of CPR

Once you check the vital sign and they are negative, position yourself to perform CPR.

Compressions

1. Kneel next to the shoulders of that person and place your left hand on the line of nipples right between the chest.
2. Clasp your right palm with the left and put your upper body weight for better compressions.
3. Once you are ready in the position start compressions with a rate of 120 chest compressions per minutes (Give breath for every 30 compressions).
4. Count loudly while giving compressions to remember the number.

Air

• Whenever you have finished 30 compressions, check for airflow by tilting the head slightly backwards.
• Lift the chin open at the same time and see if there is any airflow.

Breathing

1. Whenever you open the airway, give mouth to mouth breathe by clipping the nostrils tightly and making a seal with your mouth.
2. Ensure you give pressurised breathe so that it reaches the lungs despite of the blocks.
3. Give two rescue breaths for every 30 compressions.
4. Once the breaths are given, continue to compressions stage without any delay.

Remember the Compressions-Air-Breath (CAB) and do it as speed as you could. Also, ensure the chest compressions are subtle as too much pressure on the chest may cause physical damage and low pressure may not be effective. Ensure the compress of the chest is just about 2 inches (5 centimetres).

If you are tired, ask the bystanders of there are anyone who has the knowledge of CPR. Continue this till you see any physical sign of breathe restoration or till the medical help arrives and become a life saviour.