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CPR Training

How to Perform CPR on an Adult: Step-by-Step Instructions

By March 19, 2025No Comments

Imagine this individual simply toppling over when you’re sitting in a coffee shop or a park. You must move quickly since they are not moving. What are you doing? Are you freaking out? I hope that someone else knows what they’re doing.

It can mean the difference between life and death if you know how to do adult CPR. Although everyone should learn it, nobody ever gives it much thought until an emergency arises. The good news? CPR is easy. You don’t have to be a doctor to do it correctly; anyone can do it.

We’ll walk you through the steps of performing adult CPR in this guide so you’ll be ready to act if the time comes.

Step-by-Step Guide to Performing Adult CPR

Performing CPR right away on an adult who has collapsed helps keep the oxygen flowing towards the brain. Follow these instructions to make sure you’re doing it the right way.

Assess the Situation

Before diving into CPR, take a moment to assess what’s going on.

  • Is the situation safe for you to intervene? You don’t want to risk harm to yourself.
  • Is the victim responsive? Shake them on the shoulder and say loudly, “Are you okay?”
  • Are they breathing normally? Check for chest rise, listen for air sounds, and check for air from the mouth or nose.

If the individual is not breathing and is unresponsive (or gasping), it’s time to act.

Call for Help

CPR is important, but so is calling for professional medical help.

  • If you have company, ask them to call 911 and find an AED possible.
  • Call 911 yourself before starting CPR if you’re alone. Place the call in speaker mode so you can hear the dispatcher and continue CPR.

Start Chest Compressions

Chest compressions are the most critical component of adult CPR. They allow blood to reach the brain and other vital organs. This provides time until emergency personnel arrive.

How to Do Chest Compressions

  1. Position your hands: Kneel next to the person and put the heel of one hand on the center of their chest. Put your other hand on top and lock your fingers together.
  2. Keep arms straight: Lock elbows and have shoulders directly over your hands.
  3. Push hard and fast: Push down at least two inches deep at 100-120 compressions per minute. Use the “Stayin’ Alive” beat of the Bee Gees as your guide.
  4. Allow full recoil: Have the chest rise fully between compressions, but do not remove hands from the chest.

Provide Rescue Breaths (If You’re Trained)

If you’re comfortable giving rescue breaths, follow the 30:2 ratio: 30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths.

How to Give Rescue Breaths

  1. Open the airway – Tilt the head back slightly by lifting the chin.
  2. Pinch the nose shut – This prevents air from escaping.
  3. Create a tight seal – Cover the person’s mouth completely with yours.
  4. Give two breaths – Blow in just enough air to make their chest rise. Each breath should last about one second.

If you’re not trained or uncomfortable giving breaths, continue with hands-on CPR until help arrives.

Use an AED If Available

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can restart the heart with an electric shock. Many public places have them, and they are designed to be user-friendly.

How to Use an AED

  1. Switch on the AED – Most units offer voice directions to assist you.
  2. Hook up the electrode pads – Position one on the upper right chest and one on the lower left.
  3. Take instructions – The AED will also read the rhythm of the heart. If the heart requires a shock, ensure that no person is in contact with the patient before pressing the button.
  4. Continue CPR – Unless a shock is recommended, continue to do chest compressions until assistance arrives.

Keep Going Until Help Arrives

CPR is not a single act. Instead, you have to keep going until:

  • The individual resumes breathing normally.
  • Medical experts take over the task.
  • The person gets too tired to carry on.

Though you may be tired, doing anything is preferable to doing nothing. Every second matters.

Conclusion

One of the most crucial skills you can learn is adult CPR. In an emergency, your quick action could save someone’s life.

The essential actions to keep in mind are straightforward: determine whether the person is not responding and dial 911 right once. Start chest compressions at a pace of 100–120 beats per minute after that. Give rescue breaths if you are qualified to do so. Otherwise, CPR performed with just the hands is still very effective.

Now that you know the drill, would you feel comfortable applying it in an actual emergency? Hopefully, you’ll never have to, but if you do, you’ll be prepared.

Be the Difference: Learn Adult CPR and Save a Life

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