Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving procedure used to keep blood circulating in a person’s body during cardiac arrest.
The technique involves pressing on a person’s chest repeatedly to squeeze the heart and force blood to move. CPR can prevent severe brain damage and death by restoring heart and lung function.
Anyone can perform CPR — the treatment is not limited to medical professionals.
It’s absolutely normal to feel nervous if you must urgently perform CPR. Don’t worry about doing it the “wrong” way. It’s also OK to perform CPR without rescue breathing.
Follow these basic hands-only CPR steps for adults and teens in need of help:
Follow these CPR steps for infants and babies under one year of age:
Begin compressions again and continue them until help arrives.
You may feel overwhelmed by the situation after performing CPR. The emotional response can be different for each person. It is common to experience anxiety or fear, or to be shaky, nervous, or even nauseous during and after the event. Staying focused on the task can help you remain calm.
If you received CPR, you may feel sore from the compressions or the use of an AED device. Any discomfort should go away relatively quickly. If you are struggling with feelings of guilt or remorse after receiving CPR, your doctor can recommend mental health therapies to help.
Find a Doctor to learn more about our expert cardiac care throughout the Bay Area.