What Are the 7 Steps of CPR?

CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is a lifesaving technique that can increase the chances of survival by 2-3 times when someone has a cardiopulmonary arrest outside a hospital setting. You can learn CPR through the American Heart Association’s classroom training and skill sessions. Performing CPR in an emergency situation involves giving chest compressions to circulate blood. People who are trained to perform CPR can also give rescue breaths by forming a complete seal around the person’s mouth to provide oxygen.

Please continue reading for a step-by-step guide to starting CPR and performing CPR. Learning this relatively simple technique and first aid procedure can save a life.

What’s the difference between respiratory arrest and cardiac arrest?

Both cardiac and respiratory arrest are life-threatening conditions. During respiratory arrest, a person stops breathing, but there is a pulse. During cardiac arrest, blood stops flowing, and a pulse is absent. Without treatment, cardiac arrest quickly causes respiratory arrest and respiratory arrest leads to cardiac arrest. When a person’s heart has stopped and they are not breathing, it is called cardiac or cardiopulmonary arrest. However, people with only respiratory arrest still have a pulse, while people with cardiac arrest do not. Both cardiac and respiratory arrest are treated with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which is a life-saving skill.

When to perform CPR?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be performed if someone has had cardiopulmonary arrest (their heart has stopped pumping blood and/or they have stopped breathing). You should start chest compressions if a person has collapsed, is not responding, has stopped breathing, and does not have a pulse.

What are the 7 steps of CPR in order?

The American Heart Association recommends the following seven steps to start CPR, which is a life-saving procedure. The basic CPR steps should be performed in the following order:

STEP 1: CALL 911

First, call 911 or ask a bystander to do so. CPR can help to keep a person alive until help arrives, but it is not a definitive treatment. The dispatcher can guide you on what to do until a trained medical responder arrives. If possible, ask someone to look for an automated external defibrillator (AED) device.

STEP 2: ASSESS THE SCENE

After you’ve called 911, ensure the scene of the emergency is safe. You want to make sure you, the person who has collapsed, and others are not in any additional danger. If there is continued danger, move the person to safety if possible. However, be careful about moving a person if you suspect a head, neck, or spinal injury.

STEP 3: PERFORM A BREATHING CHECK

Before you begin artificial ventilation with chest compressions, check the airway. Place the person flat on their back and gently tilt their head back while lifting the chin slightly. You should be able to see any objects obstructing the airway. Remove any obstructions if possible.

Also, look at the person’s chest to see if they are breathing. Listen carefully for breath sounds by placing your ear near their mouth for 10 seconds. Check to see: Does the chest rise and fall?

If the person appears to have stopped breathing, begin CPR immediately. If you hear occasional gasping sounds, begin CPR steps. However, if the person exhibits signs of breathing or the person starts breathing on their own, you don’t need to perform CPR. Keep checking their breathing until medical assistance arrives.

STEP 4: CHECK FOR A PULSE

Check for a pulse on the side of the neck. Perform chest compressions if you don’t feel a pulse.

STEP 5: BEGIN CHEST COMPRESSIONS

Place one hand over the other and interlock your fingers. Place your hands just below the breastbone in the center of the person’s chest. Keep your arms straight and ensure straight elbows. Start chest compressions and apply pressure with your whole body weight and not just your arms. Press firmly with the heel of your hands so that the chest goes down at least 2 inches (5 cm). Let the chest rise fully after each compression. Minimize interruptions and perform chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute.

STEP 6: GIVE RESCUE BREATHS

If you have taken CPR classes and received training in how to administer CPR correctly, you can give two rescue breaths after one cycle of chest compressions. Make sure the person’s airway is clear without any obvious blockages. Tilt the person’s head back with the chin lifted slightly. Close their nose shut and place your mouth on the patient’s mouth. Give two rescue breaths with a tight seal mouth-to-mouth. Blow steadily for about 1 second each time. If the airway is open, the chest should rise after the first and second breath. If the chest does not rise, check for any blockages, such as loose teeth.

If you have not received CPR training or first aid training, perform hands-only CPR (chest compressions without rescue breaths).

STEP 7: CONTINUE CPR UNTIL HELP ARRIVES

Continue the chest compressions and rescue breaths until professional medical help arrives. If another person nearby has also taken a CPR class, you can take turns in performing the steps of CPR to prevent fatigue.

What is the new CPR method?

The new CPR method is hands-only CPR. If a person suffers a sudden cardiopulmonary arrest in an out-of-hospital setting, untrained bystanders are encouraged to perform compression-only CPR (hands-only CPR) without rescue breaths.

How to put someone in a recovery position?

If a person is not responsive, but you can hear breathing and find a pulse, they do not need CPR. However, they should be placed in a recovery position to keep the airway open and prevent vomit or fluids from causing choking.

Note: Do not attempt to move a person who has a head, neck, or spinal injury until emergency services arrive.

Kneel on the floor by the person’s side. Place them on their back.
Extend the arm nearer to you at a right angle to their body, with the palm facing up.
Fold the other arm so that their hand is on the opposite cheek. Hold the folded arm in place.
With your other hand, bend the person's knee that is further away from you at a right angle.
Pull the bent knee towards you and gently roll the person onto their side.
The bent arm will support their head, and the extended arm will prevent them from rolling away. Make sure the knee on top is bent at a right angle.
Gently tilt the head back and lift the chin slightly to check that nothing is blocking the airway.
Stay with the person until help arrives.