How To Give CPR

Anyone looking to save lives should know how to give CPR. CPR is an abbreviation for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It was officially called CPR in 1960, though it was used by the French as early as 1740. The version that the French performed was a very early version and didn't look like it does today. It was often unsuccessful. In the current era, there are classes that teach CPR and the Heimlich maneuver together. If you are interested in becoming certified in giving CPR, it's suggested you attend a class. Usually, CPR classes are held at your local Red Cross.

To properly give CPR, do as follows:

1. Call 911 before you give someone CPR yourself or have someone around call 911.
2. Sit on the ground beside the person on your knees.
3. Check to make sure the person is breathing and their heart is beating.
4. In order to make sure the person's windpipe is completely open, tilt their head back.
5. Open up the person's mouth and do a quick sweep in the mouth. Do not stick your finger down the person's throat.
6. Pinch the nose shut using your index finger and thumb.
7. Give the person a breath.
8. Find where the ribs meet the breast bone; it will feel like a little lump.
9. Put the heels of your hands one over the other over the breast bone lump.
10. Do chest compressions 30 times, making sure that they are not spaced far apart. The compressions should only take fifteen to twenty seconds.
11. After the 30 chest compressions, tilt the person's head back and give another breath.
12. Continue this until the paramedics arrive.

Performing CPR on an infant is different than on an adult. Infants are smaller, and their bodies are more fragile. So, CPR has to be performed differently. To perform CPR on an infant, do as follows:

1. Call 911 or have someone around you call 911.
2. Sit on the ground on your knees beside the infant.
3. Gently tilt the infant's head back to open up the airway.
4. Pinch the infant's nose using your index finger and thumb.
5. Give the infant two small breaths.
6. If your infant still isn't breathing, give them 30 chest compressions using your middle and index finger.
7. Repeat the compressions and breaths until paramedics arrive or the infant starts breathing on their own.

Attending a CPR class is strongly recommended. It has hands on training and someone trained in CPR to tell you if you're doing it properly. CPR is a very easy thing to do and the results can help save someone's life.