Doing CPR right away can double or even triple a person’s chance of surviving cardiac arrest. Learn these CPR steps now so you know what to do if someone if ever experiencing a life-threatening emergency.

Check to see if the person is breathing. Tip the head back so that the airway is open, lean down so that your ear is over their mouth and you are looking towards the chest to see if the chest rises. Count to 10.

If you do not see/feel breathing “Call for help..911 and start CPR”

Position your hand – Make sure the patient is lying on his back on a firm surface. Kneel beside him and place the heel of your hand on the center of the chest.

Interlock fingers – Keeping your arms straight, cover the first hand with the heel of your other hand and interlock the fingers of both hands together.

Give chest compressions – Lean forward so that your shoulders are directly over the patient’s chest and press down on the chest two inches or 5-6 cm. Release the pressure, but not your hands, and let the chest come back up. Remember the recoil is as important as the compression. The heart needs to refill with blood and oxygen for the next compression. Repeat to give 30 compressions at a rate of 100 compressions per minute. Think of the Bee Gee’s song “Staying Alive” for a tempo.

Give rescue breaths –  if you feel safe to do so. If not, just give compressions!  Tilt his head and lift his chin to open the airway again. Using a pocket mask, cover patients nose and mouth and give two breaths in. Breath only until you see the chest rise. Remember 2 lungs, 2 breaths!

Repeat chest compressions and rescue breaths or just compressions until help arrives.