Sharon has 21+ years of experience as a qualified Emergency Care Nurse registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (APHRA) and 12+ years as a First Aid Trainer.
She takes pride in FirstAidPro making first aid training available, comprehensive and affordable to everybody.
Here’s the critical importance of knowing how to perform adult CPR. As a bystander, you have the power to dramatically increase someone’s chances of survival when their heart stops beating by taking quick and decisive action. In short, CPR can save lives.
In the following steps, you’ll learn the essential techniques for performing adult CPR, a skill that could mean the difference between life and death.
Key Takeaways
• Check for scene safety and assess the victim’s responsiveness before starting adult CPR.
• Call emergency services immediately if the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally.
• Begin chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute, compressing at least 5 cm deep.
• Open the airway using the head-tilt chin-lift technique and give two rescue breaths after every 30 compressions.
• Use an AED if available, following the device’s instructions to potentially restore normal heart rhythm.
Check Scene Safety
Before initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), quickly assess the environment for any potential hazards that could endanger you or the victim. This vital scene assessment is your first step in performing adult CPR safely and effectively.
Look for immediate threats such as traffic, fire, electrical hazards, or unstable structures. Don’t rush into a situation that could put you at risk. Your personal safety is paramount. If you become injured or incapacitated, you can’t help the victim.
Scan the area for sharp objects, broken glass, or spilled liquids that could cause you to slip or injure yourself. Be aware of any suspicious individuals nearby who might pose a threat. If you’re in a public place, quickly identify potential sources of help or emergency equipment like AEDs.
If the scene isn’t safe, don’t attempt to perform adult CPR. Instead, call emergency services immediately and wait for trained professionals to arrive.
Only when you’ve confirmed the area is secure should you approach the victim. Remember, a thorough scene assessment takes just seconds but can prevent further injuries and guarantee you’re able to provide the best possible care to the person in need.
Assess Responsiveness
Once you’ve confirmed the scene’s safety, your next important step is to evaluate the victim’s responsiveness.
Approach the person and gently tap their shoulders while speaking loudly, asking, ‘Are you okay?’ This action helps in recognising unresponsiveness quickly. If the person doesn’t respond to your voice or touch, they’re likely unconscious.
This brief assessment of essential signs is critical in determining the next course of action. If the person isn’t breathing or is only gasping, assume they’re in cardiac arrest and prepare to start adult CPR immediately.
Send for Emergency Help
After determining unresponsiveness and lack of normal breathing, you must immediately call for emergency medical services. Time is vital in a cardiac emergency, and professional help is essential for the victim’s survival.
If you’re alone, quickly grab a phone and dial your local emergency number.. Clearly state your location and the nature of the emergency, emphasising that you’ve found an unresponsive person who isn’t breathing normally.
If you’re in a public place or with others, delegate the task of calling for help. This allows you to begin adult CPR immediately without delay.
Here are four important points to remember when calling for emergency services:
- Stay calm and speak clearly
- Provide the exact location, including any landmarks or specific directions
- Answer all questions asked by the dispatcher
- Don’t hang up until instructed to do so
Begin Chest Compressions
To begin chest compressions, you’ll need to focus on proper hand placement and maintain an effective rhythm and depth.
Proper Hand Placement
Proper hand placement is essential for effective chest compressions during adult CPR. To guarantee you’re applying pressure to the right area, locate the sternum, or breastbone, in the centre of the chest. Position your hands on the lower half of the sternum.
To achieve correct hand positioning, follow these steps:
- Place the heel of one hand on the centre of the victim’s chest.
- Position your other hand on top of the first hand.
- Interlace your fingers, keeping them off the chest.
- Align your shoulders directly over your hands.
- Your hands should remain in contact with the chest throughout the compression cycle.Â
Compression Rhythm and Depth
With your hands correctly positioned, you’ll now focus on delivering chest compressions at the right rhythm and depth.
The Australian Heart Association recommends a compression rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. To maintain this pace, it’s helpful to compress to the beat of the song ‘Stayin’ Alive’ by the Bee Gees.
As for depth, you should aim to compress the chest at least 5 cm but no more than 6 cm.Â
It’s essential to allow full chest recoil between each compression, as this enables the heart to refill with blood.
Open the Airway
After performing chest compressions, you’ll need to open the airway.
Head-Tilt Chin-Lift Technique
This method is important for proper airway management and can make the difference between life and death.
To perform the head-tilt chin-lift technique:
- Kneel beside the victim’s head and shoulders.
- Place one hand on the victim’s forehead and apply firm pressure to tilt the head back.
- Use the fingertips of your other hand to lift the chin, pulling the jaw forward.
- Maintain this position to keep the airway open.
This manoeuvre helps align the mouth, pharynx, and trachea, creating a clear passage for air to flow. It’s particularly effective because it repositions the tongue, which often falls back and blocks the airway when a person is unconscious.
Be careful not to hyperextend the neck, especially if you suspect a spinal injury. In such cases, use a modified jaw thrust technique instead.
Clear Obstructions
Before proceeding with rescue breaths, you’ll need to check for and clear any visible obstructions in the victim’s mouth and throat.
To clear obstruction, gently open the victim’s mouth and visually inspect for any foreign objects. If you spot anything, use your fingers to carefully sweep it out. Be cautious not to push objects further down the throat. For solid objects, use a hooking motion with your index and middle fingers to remove them.
If the victim has vomited, turn their head to the side and use a cloth or your hand to clear the mouth. Be prepared for the possibility of more vomit during resuscitation efforts.
Provide Rescue Breaths
Rescue breaths are a crucial component of adult CPR, delivering oxygen to the victim’s lungs when they’re unable to breathe on their own. To provide effective rescue breaths, you’ll need to use proper rescue breath techniques while considering mouth-to-mouth safety.
Here’s how to perform rescue breaths correctly:
- Tilt the victim’s head back and lift their chin to open the airway.
- Pinch the victim’s nose shut with your thumb and index finger.
- Take a normal breath, then seal your mouth completely over the victim’s mouth.
- Blow steadily into the victim’s mouth for about one second, watching for their chest to rise.
After each breath, remove your mouth and allow the chest to fall before giving the next breath. Provide two rescue breaths, then immediately resume chest compressions.
If the chest doesn’t rise with your initial breaths, quickly recheck the airway for obstructions and adjust the head-tilt, chin-lift position before attempting again.
Continue CPR Cycle
After providing rescue breaths, you’ll need to continue the CPR cycle by alternating between chest compressions and rescue breaths. This essential part of CPR techniques guarantees continuous blood flow and oxygenation to critical organs.
Don’t stop adult CPR unless professional help arrives, the person starts showing signs of life, or you’re too exhausted to continue.
Using an AED
When available, an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can significantly improve a person’s chances of survival during cardiac arrest. These devices are designed to analyse heart rhythms and, if necessary, deliver a controlled electric shock to restore a normal heartbeat.
Once the AED is retrieved, turn it on and follow the voice prompts. Expose the person’s chest, ensuring it is dry, and attach the electrode pads as indicated. The device will assess the heart’s rhythm and determine whether a shock is needed. If prompted, ensure no one is touching the person before pressing the shock button. Immediately resume CPR with chest compressions and rescue breaths, following the AED’s instructions until emergency responders take over.
AEDs are designed for ease of use, making them a vital tool in adult CPR. Their timely application, combined with effective adult CPR, can be the key to saving a life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can CPR be performed on a person with a pacemaker?
Yes. The presence of a pacemaker does not change the technique—chest compressions should still be given in the centre of the chest, and an AED can be used if needed, ensuring the pads are placed at least a few centimetres away from the device.
What should be done if the victim has a suspected neck or spinal injury?
If a spinal injury is suspected, avoid excessive head movement. Instead of using the head-tilt chin-lift technique to open the airway, use a jaw-thrust manoeuvre by placing your hands on either side of the victim’s jaw and gently pushing it forward while keeping the head and neck in a neutral position.
Can CPR cause injury to the victim?
CPR can sometimes result in broken ribs or other injuries, but the priority is to restore circulation and oxygen flow. The benefits of performing CPR far outweigh the risks, as any injuries sustained can be treated once the person survives, and you’re typically protected by Good Samaritan laws.Â
