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A-B-Cs of CPR for Victims Age 8 and Older

DETERMINE RESPONSIVENESS
  • If victim appears unconscious, gently shake a shoulder
    and shout: "Are you OK?" (Fig.2)
  • If no response, have someone call 911.
  • If alone, call 911 before starting A-B-Cs.

A is for AIRWAY

  • Roll victim onto back, supporting head and neck.
  • Open airway with head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver.
    If head/neck injury suspected, use jaw-thrust technique.
    (In choking victim, look for an object in the mouth
    and throat. If you see one, take it out.
    DO NOT     perform blind finger sweep.)
  • Look-listen-feel for normal breathing (Fig.3).
    If breathing is normal, gently roll victim onto
    side to keep airway open (if head/neck injury
    suspected, use jaw thrust instead).
  • If victim is not breathing normally, go to B.
  


 

B is for BREATHING

  • Pinch victim's nose and put mouth over victim's,
    making a tight seal (Fig. 4).
  • Give 2 slow breaths - about 2 seconds each.
  • If chest rises with each breath, proceed to C.
  • If chest does not rise, reposition and try 2 more breaths.
    If air still does not go in, go to C.
  

C is for CIRCULATION
  • Check for signs of circulation: normal breathing, coughing, or victim moves as a result of initial breaths, or check for a pulse if trained to do so.
  • If there is circulation, provide a rescue breath every 5 seconds (12 per minute), but no chest compressions. Check regularly for signs of circulation.
  • If no signs of circulation within 10 seconds, do 15 chest compressions at the rate of 100 per minute (Fig.5)
  • Reopen airway. (In choking victim, look for an object in the throat each time you reopen airway.)
  • Give 2 full breaths, then resume compressions.
  • After 4 cycles of 15 compressions/2 breaths, check for circulation.
  • If none, continue procedure until medical help arrives. Check for circulation every few minutes.
  
BEGIN CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR) ONLY IF YOU ARE TRAINED OR
AN EMERGENCY DISPATCHER IS GUIDING YOU!
  
This Web page is not intended to replace a CPR training course.
  

USING AN AED

Use an automated external defibrillator only if you are trained to do so.