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Health Topics

CPR and Rescue Breathing: (Ages 12 and Older)

You arrive on the scene: Check to scene for safety.

1.  Check the victim for consciousness. Gently tap the shoulder and shout.

No Response

2. Call 911.

3. If the adult is lying on his stomach, turn him over onto his back. Check for Breathing and a Pulse:

a. Tilt the adult's head back using the palm of one hand on the forehead. At the same time, lift up on the adult's chin with two fingers of your other hand. Put your ear close to the adult's nose and mouth and watch his chest for any movement.  Look, listen and feel for breathing.

b. Check for a pulse by sliding your two fingers into the groove on the side of the adult's neck as you check for signs of life no more than 10 seconds.

Pulse But No Breathing

Begin Rescue Breathing:

a. Tilt the head back. Lift the chin. Pinch the nose. Breathe slowly and gently into the adult. Give 1 breath every 5 seconds (count 1-1000, 2-1000, 3-1000, 4-1000, breathe, etc.).

b. Recheck for signs of life every 2 minutes. Or every 24 breathes.

No Pulse, No Breathing

Begin CPR:

a. Position the heel of one hand on the center of the chest.  Place the other hand on top of the other hand.

b. With elbows locked and straight, compress the chest 2 inches in depth 30 times. Give 2 breaths. Continue with 30 compressions/2 breaths, 30 compressions/2 breaths, until:

Continue CPR until you see signs of life, another rescuer takes over for you or help arrives.

If you witness a sudden collapse call 911. No pulse, no breathing, begin CPR.

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Last Updated: 08/2011