CPR Explained: Learn This Life-Saving Skill

Dr.Shaarang Sachdev, 3 mins read

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a very effective and lifesaving technique when someone’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. Knowing how to perform CPR can make a world of difference in someone’s life. Here, we’re going to discuss what CPR is, why it’s important to learn this skill and how it works.

What is CPR?
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an impactful technique to keep a person’s blood circulation and breathing going when their heart has stopped beating. The technique involves a combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths (mouth-to-mouth). The primary goal is to buy some time until professional medical help is available.

How does CPR work?
When the heart stops beating, the blood flow in the body stops and the cells of the brain and vital organs start dying. CPR ensures continuous flow of oxygenated blood flow to the body’s vital organs, especially the brain. Rescue breath lets the oxygen enter the lungs and chest compression helps in pumping the blood throughout the body.

Why is it essential to learn CPR?
CPR is a life-saving procedure as it can significantly increase the chances of survival for someone experiencing cardiac arrest or any other related emergency situation. Immediate or impactful CPR can double or triple the chances of the survival of the patient.

A step-by-step guide to performing CPR
There are two stages: the first is preparation and the second is CPR.

Preparation stage

• If a person becomes unconscious and unresponsive, first move the patient to a safe area. Check their responsiveness by tapping on their shoulders and asking them whether they are okay.
• If they don't seem okay or don't reply, call an emergency ambulance/ ask for an AED.
• Lay down the person on his/her back and kneel beside their chest.
• Check for carotid pulses on the patient's anterior part of the neck (approx. 2 cm below Adam's apple).
• Make sure to clear the oral cavity/ airway or obstruction before assessing for breathing.
• To open the airway, tilt the head back with one hand and lift the chin with 2 or 3 fingers of the other hand.
• Look for any chest rise to check for breathing.
• Time taken for this (carotid pulse check + breathing check) should be at least 5 seconds but not more than 10 seconds.
• Do not perform CPR in case the patient is breathing or you feel a carotid pulse.

CPR Stage
If the person is not breathing or does not have a carotid pulse, immediately start CPR.

• Place the heel of your hand interlocked with the other hand, at the centre of their chest (on the line between two nipples)
• With straight elbows and body perpendicular to the patient, push down on the chest with your body weight.
• In the case of an infant, chest compression should be performed with 2 fingers (index and middle finger) and in a child of more than 1 year, the heel of one hand should be used.
• Push down firmly on the sternum to 1/3 of the depth of the chest (around 5 cm in adults and 4 cm in infants).
• The rate of compression is 100 – 120 compressions per minute (for all ages).
• The compression/relaxation ratio should be 50:50 with complete recoil of the chest between each compression.
• Interruptions to chest compressions should be minimised.
• After each 30 compressions, there is an interruption in chest compressions for two rescue breaths.
• Check for a carotid pulse every two minutes.
• Repeat this cycle of 30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths till the emergency help arrives or you feel a carotid pulse.