8.3 CPR Procedures

  • CPR

    "The American Heart Association uses the acronym of CAB — compressions, airway, breathing — to help people remember the order to perform the steps of CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)"(Health Care 10). It is important to know CPR so if you are ever in a life or death situation of someone else, you can possibly save their life.
  • Compressions

    Since the persons heart is not pumping, you are now the only way the heart can circulate the blood. "Use your upper body weight (not just your arms) as you push straight down on (compress) the chest at least 2 inches (approximately 5 centimeters). Push hard at a rate of about 100 compressions a minute" (Health Care Service 11).
  • Airway

    Since the person is not breathing on their own, the airway is most likely not fully clear. "Put your palm on the person's forehead and
    gently tilt the head back. Then with the other hand, gently lift
    the chin forward to open the airway"(Health Care Service 11).
  • Breathing

    Once again, the person is not breathing when you have to do CPR so you have to be their lungs. With the airway open, pinch the nostrils shut for mouth-to-mouth breathing and cover the person's mouth with yours, making a seal" (Health Care Service 11). When you give the first breath (one second breath), if you do not see their chest rise with air, give a second breath. The pattern is 30 compressions to 2 breaths. Do compressions to the beat of "ah ah ah ah staying alive staying alive".
  • Personal Story

    My dad is a doctor, and he has done CPR to save someones life. The first time he ever did it for real he was at OSU and he was on call. A lady stopped breathing and my dad started CPR and he felt her ribs break as he did compressions and another person was give her air with an ambu bag so breath was not necessary.