Compression-to-ventilation ratio be 30:2 for all ages. All rescuers perform chest compressions for all who are not breathing normally. Rescuers who are trained and willing to give rescue breaths are encouraged to do so. Chest compressions should be provided at a rate of approximately 100 – 120 /min.
Give two breaths after every 30 chest compressions. If two people are doing CPR, give 1 to 2 breaths after every 15 chest compressions. Continue CPR until you see signs of life or until medical help arrives.
Provide rescue breathing, 1 breath every 6 seconds or 10 breaths/min. Check pulse every 2 minutes; if no pulse, start CPR.
What Are the 7 Steps of CPR In Order?
The 3 R's in CPR stand for Recognize, Respond, and Resuscitate. These three steps are crucial in saving a life during a cardiac emergency. When a person experiences cardiac arrest, every second counts, and understanding these three essential steps ensures that bystanders can take quick and effective action.
Elam and Safar's findings led to the formal adoption of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation—popularly known as the “Kiss of Life.” This technique transformed emergency response, particularly for drowning and suffocation victims.
Give two breaths for every 30 compressions (about 20 seconds or so). Pinch their nose closed while tilting their head back a little and their chin up.
Improper chest compressions (too slow, too fast, or not deep enough) can do more harm than good. People make this mistake mainly because of fear of hurting the victim's lungs or crushing their ribs.
5 Reasons to Stop CPR
The three emergency action steps are often represented as the three Cs: check, call, care.
Recommended Procedure: “For these reasons, we believe it is appropriate to recommend the following: in case of vomiting, turn the victim onto their side, perform a finger sweep if needed, return the victim to their back, and restart CPR with chest compressions, beginning a new cycle regardless of the number of ...
Do you give CPR if there is a pulse but no breathing? Yes, Perform CPR: If a person is not breathing but has a detectable pulse, CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) should be initiated immediately.
So, for instance, while adults require two hands on the center of their chest for compressions, infants need two fingers in the same area. Additionally, the compression depth for infants is shallower at 1.5 inches, whereas it's 2 inches for children and adults.
Check pulse every 2 minutes; if no pulse, start CPR.
Cover the infant's mouth and nose with your mouth. Give 2 gentle breaths after every 15 compressions. Each breath should last about 1 second and make the chest rise visibly.
BLS is a more comprehensive certification designed for healthcare workers and first responders that includes CPR plus additional life-saving techniques for cardiac arrest, respiratory distress, and obstructed airways.
CPR can be a life-saving procedure, yet knowing when to pause and assess the situation is equally important. Remember, if the person is conscious, breathing normally, or has a pulse, you should not perform CPR. These signs indicate that their heart and lungs are still functioning.
The physicians and scientists at the Sarver Heart Center, have found that the old saying "Never perform CPR on beating heart" is not valid. According to these professionals, the chances that a bystander could harm a person by pressing on their chest are slim to none, even if the heart is working normally.
When performing CPR, look out for clear signs of life. If the person starts showing any kind of consciousness, including breathing, moving their body, opening their eyes, or making sounds and talking, it's time to stop the chest compressions.
What is the golden rule of CPR? The golden rule of CPR is to act fast. Call 999, start chest compressions in the centre of the chest, and keep going steadily until help arrives or a defibrillator is ready to use.
What Not to Do During CPR: Avoid Common Mistakes and Stay Safe
According to expert CPR best practice recommendations, you should stop CPR only when one of the following occurs:
Last Update: August 21, 2025; Next update: 2028. Chest compressions are the most important part of resuscitating someone. Also helping them to breathe by providing mouth-to mouth resuscitation is helpful, but not absolutely necessary.
The purpose of CPR isn't to restart the victim's heart (although sometimes you will). CPR is performed to keep blood flowing to the brain and other organs until an AED is available or an ambulance arrives. Don't stop CPR. Studies show CPR is most effective with fewer interruptions in compressions.
CPR with rescue breaths
Place the heel of your hand on the centre of the person's chest, then place the palm of your other hand on top and press down by 5 to 6cm (2 to 2.5 inches) at a steady rate of 100 to 120 compressions a minute. After every 30 chest compressions, give 2 rescue breaths.