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First Aid & Emergencies

Call 911 NOW if you are having:

  • Chest Pain
  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Severe Bleeding
  • Sudden Weakness or Numbness
  • A Medical Emergency
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Hands-Only CPR for Adults

Call 911 if a person:

  • Collapses 
  • Becomes unresponsive

1. Check Responsiveness

  • Tap the person's shoulder and shout, "Are you OK?"
  • Look for normal breathing. Call 911 if there is no response.
  • Start hands-only CPR.
  • Hands-Only CPR should not be used for adults whose cardiac arrest is due to drug overdose, near-drowning, or an unwitnessed cardiac arrest. In these cases, do a conventional CPR combination of chest compressions and rescue breathing.

2. Do Chest Compressions

  • Place the heel of your hand on the center of the person's chest.
  • Place the heel of your other hand on top of your first hand, lacing fingers together.
  • Keep arms straight and your shoulders directly over your hands.
  • Push hard and fast, compressing chest at least 2 inches.
  • Let chest rise completely before pushing down again.
  • Compress at least 100 times per minute.

3. Stop Only if:

  • The person starts breathing normally.
  • A trained responder or emergency help takes over.
  • You are too exhausted to continue.
  • There is an automated external defibrillator (AED) to use.

4. Use an AED As Soon As It's Available

  • Turn on the AED. It will give you step-by-step instructions.
  • Wipe chest dry.
  • Attach the pads.
  • Plug in connector, if needed.
  • Make sure no one is touching the person.
  • Push the "Analyze" button if necessary.
  • If a shock is advised, push the "Shock" button.
  • Resume compressions and follow AED prompts.

 

Note: For Hands-Only CPR instructions, go to www.redcross.org to download a free instruction guide. You can also call the American Heart Association at (800) AHA-USA1 or visit www.heart.org.

 

WebMD Medical Reference

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Reviewed by Varnada Karriem-Norwood, MD on November 07, 2011
© 2011 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

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