Have you ever saved a persons life or wanted to but did not have the proper skills or technique? Many health and child related jobs require you to have the proper skills to save or try to save a persons life. CPR, which stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, can save lives that would be lost by simply following three easy and quick steps. CPR requires no special equipment just presence of mind. Although performing these steps does not make you certified, it is great to know how CPR is performed.
First and for most, always make sure the scene is safe. If the accident will put yourself in harm or danger, it is best to leave it up to the professional for help. Once the scene is safe, check the victim for consciousness. To do this, check for breathing and a pulse. If you are certain that the victim is not breathing and there is no pulse, immediately start CPR. If breathing and circulation are not restored within four to five minutes, brain damage can occur. You want to make sure the victim is positioned faced up. You want to open the airway to start breathing for the victim. Gently tilt the head back by lifting the chin with your hand. At the same time tilt the forehead back with the other hand. At this time make sure there are no objects in the victim's mouth. This may help the victim to start breathing, if not you must start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Next, put one hand on the forehead and pinch the victim's nose shut. Open your mouth, and place it over the victim's mouth so that no air but the air you will be giving will go in the victim's mouth so it will open the passage to the lungs. On an infant you would not pinch the nose shut you would place your mouth over its nose and mouth. Give two quick, full breaths, also known as rescue breaths, without allowing the victim's lungs to deflate completely between the two breaths. On infants and children give one rescue breath.