How Do You Perform CPR on Adults (Ages 12 and Older) with a Tracheostomy?
You Arrive on the Scene
Check the scene for safety. Check the victim for consciousness. Gently tap their shoulder and shout.
No Response
Call 911 immediately.
If the person is lying on their stomach, turn them over onto their back. They should be lying on a hard, flat surface.
Check for Breathing and Signs of Life
Watch their chest for any normal movement. Look for signs of life and breathing for no more than 10 seconds.
No Breathing or Signs of Life
Begin CPR:
- Put the heel of one hand on the center of the person’s chest. Place your other hand on top.
- With your elbows locked and arms straight, lean over the person and compress the chest at least 2 inches in depth 30 times at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
- After 30 compressions, give breaths using a resuscitation bag attached to the trach. Gently squeeze the bag and give 2 breaths—just enough to make their chest rise.
- Continue with 30 compressions / 2 breaths, 30 compressions / 2 breaths, etc.
If Breaths Do Not Make the Chest Rise:
- Suction the trach tube. If the trach has an inner cannula, remove it and suction the length of the trach tube.
- Change the trach if it is plugged or dislodged.
- Give 2 breaths to the trach, using a resuscitation bag.
Continue CPR until you see signs of life, another rescuer takes over for you, or help arrives.
Take a CPR Class
The Center for Simulation and Research at Cincinnati Children’s offers CPR classes for patient families. Call 513-636-6992 for more information.
Note: The video on this page demonstrates proper techniques when providing rescue breathing and CPR for people ages 12 and older with a tracheostomy.
BE ADVISED: This is not a certification for CPR.
