CPR Steps. Remember if the patients color looks bad they are probably in trouble.

If the patient takes gasping breaths with long pauses in between accompanied by bad color this is not normal breathing START CPR...


1. Check for response - "Are you ok?" while making some type of physical contact (tap on shoulder or arm). If no response...

2. Call/Send for help. A defibrillator should be asked for if available. 

3. Check for life signs: CAB,  look for visible chest rise, listen for sounds of breathing, feel for breathing FOR 5-8 secs but no more. Color of skin is the best way to know something is wrong, which is sometimes hard in different lighting situations.

4. Start chest compressions with a 30:2 ratio (30 compressions, 2 breaths) place your hand into the armpit of the victim, move your hand from that position into the center of the victims chest, place one hand ontop of the other and press down the chest, min 2 inces for adults. Continue until further help arrives, or the AED arrives. DO NOT stop CPR to place the AED unless you are alone.

5. Give two rescue breaths (just enough to cause chest rise) only 1 second each through a mask. If no mask available go right to chest compressions,  HANDS ONLY CPR... do not stop at 30 to imitate breaths if your not using a mask. Do continuous compressions until a mask arrives.

6. REMEMBER TO PUSH HARD AND FAST, YOU CAN'T HURT THE PATIENT ANYMORE THAN THEY ALREADY ARE.

If a defibrillator arrives, and you are trained to use a defibrillator, attach to patient and follow the voice prompts. Push shock button if advised but make sure no one is touching the victim.