How to Perform "Hands Only" CPR

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

InstructionsThings You'll Need:

Phone to call 9-1-1

Willingness to help someone

Clear head/calm demeanor

Step 1  "Hands Only" CPR is a set of guidelines in response to studies proving that good compressions are the first step in saving lives. Even Emergency Responders are instructed to give two minutes of good compressions prior to administering air.

Step 2  If you see someone collapse, have someone call 9-1-1 immediately. The sooner you get medical help, the better the chance of survival.

Step 3  Make sure the person is on their back and open their airway by using a "head tilt/chin lift" maneuver. One hand on their chin, one on their forehead, pull the chin toward the ceiling.

Step 4  With the airway opened, "look, listen and feel." Place your ear near their mouth. Look for their chest to rise, Listen for sound of air movement and Feel for air on your ear. If they are not breathing, begin CPR.

Step 5  Find the point where the ribs come together on the sternum and measure two fingers width toward the person's head. Place one hand, palm down, on top of the other. Compress the chest about 1/3 to 1/2 the distance to the floor. It sounds like a lot, but you need to move that blood through the body.

Step 6  Continue compressing the chest at a rate of 100 times per minute. Do not be alarmed if you hear a cracking sound on your first few compressions. Good CPR has been known to crack ribs, but it also saves lives. A fair trade in my book.

Step 7  With "Hands Only" CPR, you will continue compressions until First Responders arrive. If you get tired and someone is willing to take your place, feel free to switch out. The first arriving units should be there within 2-4 minutes.