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<div class="HwContainer HwElement" id="HwContainer"><a class="HwMainSkipNavigation" href="#HwContentTitle"><span class="HwAccessibilityText">Skip Navigation</span></a><div class="HwBlock" id="HwMain" role="main"><div class="HwRow"><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnSidebar1"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomSidebar"> </div></div><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnContent"><div id="HwContentTop"> </div><div class="HwTypeFocus HwContentWrapper HwElement" role="article" id="HwContentWrapper"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomContentTop"> </div><div class="HwContentHeader"><p><a name="top" id="Hwtop"><span class="HwAccessibilityText">Top of the page</span></a> </p></div><div class="HwContentTitle"><h1 id="HwContentTitle" tabindex="-1">CPR Basics</h1></div><div class="HwContentTopNavigation"> </div><div class="HwContent"><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionSpecialSection" id="sec-sid44428-sec"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="b4cb0a40" fingerprint-exact="e7c3d1bb">Overview</h2> <p fingerprint="df2e8a22" fingerprint-exact="a4a99346">The American Heart Association recommends taking a class on how to give CPR and then use the chart below as a reference.</p> <table class="hw-table-border" fingerprint="5368e9c9" fingerprint-exact="3ba13d3f"> <caption>CPR Basics</caption> <colgroup> <col> <col> <col> <col> </colgroup> <tbody> <tr> <th class="hw-align-text-left" scope="col" rowspan="2"> <p>What to do</p> </th> <th class="TableTitle" scope="col" colspan="3"> <p>Recommendations for:</p> </th> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Adults and older children who have reached puberty</p> </td> <td> <p>Young children until the age of puberty</p> </td> <td> <p>Babies younger than 1 year</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="hw-align-text-top"> <p>When to call for emergency help</p> </td> <td class="hw-align-text-top"> <p>Call <span class="HwEmergencyNumber"> 911 </span> before starting CPR and get an AED, if there is one nearby.</p> </td> <td class="hw-align-text-top"> <p>Do CPR for 2 minutes. Then call <span class="HwEmergencyNumber"> 911 </span> and get an AED, if there is one nearby.</p> </td> <td class="hw-align-text-top"> <p>Do CPR for 2 minutes. Then call <span class="HwEmergencyNumber"> 911 </span> and get an AED, if there is one nearby.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="hw-align-text-top"> <p>If the person is not breathing normally or is gasping, find the spot to do chest compressions.</p> </td> <td class="hw-align-text-top"> <p>Place two fingers on the spot where the ribs come together. Put the heel of your other hand just above your fingers on the breastbone.</p> <p>(See a picture of <a class="HwLinkMultiMedia" data-hw-type="MultiMedia" data-hw-document-href="zm2273" data-hw-section="zm2273-sec" rel="MultiMedia" hw:document-type="MultiMedia" hw:document-href="zm2273" data-hwid="zm2273" hw:section-href="zm2273-sec" hw:link-type="image" href="?id=zm2273#zm2273-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">hand placement for chest compressions</span></a>.)</p> </td> <td class="hw-align-text-top"> <p>Place two fingers on the spot where the ribs come together. Put the heel of your other hand just above your fingers on the breastbone.</p> </td> <td class="hw-align-text-top"> <p>Place two fingers on the breastbone just below the nipple line.</p> <p>(See a picture of <a class="HwLinkMultiMedia" data-hw-type="MultiMedia" data-hw-document-href="zm6029" data-hw-section="zm6029-sec" rel="MultiMedia" hw:document-type="MultiMedia" hw:document-href="zm6029" data-hwid="zm6029" hw:section-href="zm6029-sec" hw:link-type="image" href="?id=zm6029#zm6029-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">hand placement for chest compressions on a baby</span></a>.)</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="hw-align-text-top"> <p>How do you give chest compressions?</p> </td> <td class="hw-align-text-top"> <p>Use the heel of one hand with the other hand stacked on top of it. Lace your fingers together.</p> </td> <td class="hw-align-text-top"> <p>Use the heel of one hand. If you need more force for a larger child, use both hands as you would for an adult.</p> </td> <td class="hw-align-text-top"> <p>Use two fingers.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="hw-align-text-top"> <p>How fast should you do compressions?</p> </td> <td class="hw-align-text-top"> <p>Do at least 100 compressions per minute (between 1 and 2 per second).</p> </td> <td class="hw-align-text-top"> <p>Do at least 100 compressions per minute (between 1 and 2 per second).</p> </td> <td class="hw-align-text-top"> <p>Do at least 100 compressions per minute (between 1 and 2 per second).</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="hw-align-text-top"> <p>How far down should you press the chest?</p> </td> <td class="hw-align-text-top"> <p>Press the chest down at least 2 inches (5 cm).</p> </td> <td class="hw-align-text-top"> <p>Press the chest down at least one-third of the depth of the child's chest [about 2 in. (5 cm)].</p> </td> <td class="hw-align-text-top"> <p>Press the chest down at least one-third of the depth of the baby's chest.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="hw-align-text-top"> <p>If you are trained in CPR, how many compressions and breaths do you give?</p> <p> <b>Note</b>: Rescue breathing may be more important to do for children and babies than for adults.</p> </td> <td class="hw-align-text-top"> <p> <b>30 compressions, 2 breaths</b>. Repeat this 30/2 cycle until help arrives or person breathes on his or her own.</p> </td> <td class="hw-align-text-top"> <p> <b>30 compressions, 2 breaths</b>. Repeat this 30/2 cycle until help arrives or child breathes on his or her own.</p> </td> <td class="hw-align-text-top"> <p> <b>30 compressions, 2 breaths</b>. Repeat this 30/2 cycle until help arrives or baby breathes on his or her own.</p> <p>(See a picture of <a class="HwLinkMultiMedia" data-hw-type="MultiMedia" data-hw-document-href="zm6395" data-hw-section="zm6395-sec" rel="MultiMedia" hw:document-type="MultiMedia" hw:document-href="zm6395" data-hwid="zm6395" hw:section-href="zm6395-sec" hw:link-type="image" href="?id=zm6395#zm6395-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">rescue breathing for babies</span></a>.)</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p fingerprint="21816a5e" fingerprint-exact="a80055de">Using an automated external defibrillator (AED)</p> <p fingerprint="94df584c" fingerprint-exact="4502bc0d">Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are machines that are programmed to safely deliver an electrical shock to a person who has collapsed from a heart problem. Each AED has instructions for that machine.</p> <p fingerprint="a1cdfd17" fingerprint-exact="3c23e4ec">AEDs are in many public places. Before you use an AED, follow all the steps for CPR. To use an AED, place it next to the person who has collapsed and turn it on. The AED has a computer inside that will tell you what to do next.</p> </div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionRelatedInformation" id="sec-sid44428-RelInfo"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="d5f858e0" fingerprint-exact="c0ffe04b">Related Information</h2><ul fingerprint="7bcfa257" fingerprint-exact="9930f7c8"><li><a data-hw-type="Special" data-hw-document-href="emerg" data-hw-section="hw154539" hw:document-type="Special" hw:document-href="emerg" data-hwid="emerg" hw:section-href="hw154539" href="?id=emerg#hw154539">Dealing With Emergencies</a></li><li><a data-hw-type="Special" data-hw-document-href="ue5091" data-hw-section="aco4282" hw:document-type="Special" hw:document-href="ue5091" data-hwid="ue5091" hw:section-href="aco4282" href="?id=ue5091#aco4282">Health and Safety, Ages 2 to 5 Years</a></li><li><a data-hw-type="Special" data-hw-document-href="ue5131" data-hw-section="aco4212" hw:document-type="Special" hw:document-href="ue5131" data-hwid="ue5131" hw:section-href="aco4212" href="?id=ue5131#aco4212">Health and Safety, Birth to 2 Years</a></li><li><a data-hw-type="Mini" data-hw-document-href="hw52662" data-hw-section="hw52664" hw:document-type="Mini" hw:document-href="hw52662" data-hwid="hw52662" hw:section-href="hw52664" href="?id=hw52662#hw52664">Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy</a></li><li><a data-hw-type="Special" data-hw-document-href="tn5684" data-hw-section="acn8284" hw:document-type="Special" hw:document-href="tn5684" data-hwid="tn5684" hw:section-href="acn8284" href="?id=tn5684#acn8284">Premature (Preterm) Infant</a></li></ul></div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwCreditsSection HwCreditsWithoutNavstack HwSectionCredits" id="sec-sid44428-Credits"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle">Credits</h2> <div class="HwContentInformation"> <div class="HwLastUpdated"> <p> <span class="HwInfoLabel">Current as of: </span> November 9, 2022 </p> </div> <div class="HwCredits"> <p> <span class="HwInfoLabel">Author: </span>Healthwise Staff<br><span class="HwInfoLabel">Medical Review: </span><br><span class="HwInfoName">William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine</span><br><span class="HwInfoName">Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine</span><br><span class="HwInfoName">Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine</span></p> </div> </div> </div></div><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomContentBottom"> </div><div class="HwContentNavigation"><div class="HwSectionNavItem" style="display:block" id="secNav-sid44428-sec"><ul><li class="HwContentNavigationNone"> </li><li class="HwContentNavigationTop"><a href="#top">Top of the page</a></li><li class="HwContentNavigationNext"><p>Next Section: </p><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="sid44428" data-hw-section="sid44428-RelInfo" id="nextLink-sid44428-RelInfo" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="sid44428" data-hwid="sid44428" hw:section-href="sid44428-RelInfo" href="?id=sid44428#sid44428-RelInfo">Related Information</a></li><li class="HwClear"> </li></ul></div><div class="HwSectionNavItem" style="display:none" id="secNav-sid44428-RelInfo"><ul><li class="HwContentNavigationPrev"><p>Previous Section: </p><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="sid44428" data-hw-section="sid44428-sec" id="prevLink-sid44428-sec" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="sid44428" data-hwid="sid44428" hw:section-href="sid44428-sec" href="?id=sid44428#sid44428-sec">Overview</a></li><li class="HwContentNavigationTop"><a href="#top">Top of the page</a></li><li class="HwContentNavigationNext"><p>Next Section: </p><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="sid44428" data-hw-section="sid44428-Credits" id="nextLink-sid44428-Credits" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="sid44428" data-hwid="sid44428" hw:section-href="sid44428-Credits" href="?id=sid44428#sid44428-Credits">Credits</a></li><li class="HwClear"> </li></ul></div><div class="HwSectionNavItem" style="display:none" id="secNav-sid44428-Credits"><ul><li class="HwContentNavigationPrev"><p>Previous Section: </p><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="sid44428" data-hw-section="sid44428-RelInfo" id="prevLink-sid44428-RelInfo" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="sid44428" data-hwid="sid44428" hw:section-href="sid44428-RelInfo" href="?id=sid44428#sid44428-RelInfo">Related Information</a></li><li class="HwContentNavigationTop"><a href="#top">Top of the page</a></li><li class="HwContentNavigationNone"> </li><li class="HwClear"> </li></ul></div></div><div class="HwContentInformation" role="complementary"><div class="HwLastUpdated"><p><span class="HwInfoLabel">Current as of: </span>November 9, 2022</p></div><div class="HwCredits"><p><span class="HwInfoLabel">Author: </span><a class="HwLinkDisclaimer" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en">Healthwise Staff</a></p><p><a class="HwLinkDisclaimer" href="https://www.healthwise.org/mdreviewboard.aspx?lang=en-us"><span class="HwInfoLabel">Medical Review:</span></a><span class="HwInfoName">William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine</span> & <span class="HwInfoName">Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine</span> & <span class="HwInfoName">Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine</span></p></div></div></div></div><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnSidebar2"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomNavigationTop"> </div><div class="HwElement" id="HwNavigationWrapper"><div class="HwNavigation" id="HwNavigation" role="navigation"><h3 class="HwNavStackHeader" id="HwNavStackHeader">Topic Contents</h3><ul aria-labelledby="HwNavStackHeader"><li id="nav-sid44428-sec"><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="sid44428" data-hw-section="sid44428-sec" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="sid44428" data-hwid="sid44428" hw:section-href="sid44428-sec" href="?id=sid44428#sid44428-sec">Overview</a></li><li id="nav-sid44428-RelInfo"><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="sid44428" data-hw-section="sid44428-RelInfo" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="sid44428" data-hwid="sid44428" hw:section-href="sid44428-RelInfo" href="?id=sid44428#sid44428-RelInfo">Related Information</a></li><li id="nav-sid44428-Credits"><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="sid44428" data-hw-section="sid44428-Credits" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="sid44428" data-hwid="sid44428" hw:section-href="sid44428-Credits" href="?id=sid44428#sid44428-Credits">Credits</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="HwNavigationWrapper HwNavigationEmpty"> </div><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomNavigationBottom"> </div><div class="HwElement" id="HwMediaItemsWrapper"><div id="HwMediaItems"><ol class="HwMediaItemList"><li class="HwMediaItem HwMediaItemTopicImage" id="HwMediaItem-acd9273"><a class="HwMediaItemLink" data-hw-type="MultiMedia" data-hw-document-href="acd9273" rel="MultiMedia video 00:03:35" hw:document-type="MultiMedia" hw:document-href="acd9273" data-hwid="acd9273" hw:name-href="Child CPR" href="?id=acd9273#"><img class="HwMediaImage" data-hw-resource-path="media/thumbnails/acd9273.jpg" hw:resource-path="media/thumbnails/acd9273.jpg" src="https://ixbapi.healthwise.net/Resource/13.6/en-us/media/thumbnails/acd9273.jpg" width="190" height="107" alt hw:release-quarter="13.6"><span class="HwMediaTitle">Child CPR</span></a></li><li class="HwMediaItem HwMediaItemTopicImage" id="HwMediaItem-acg1834"><a class="HwMediaItemLink" data-hw-type="MultiMedia" data-hw-document-href="acg1834" rel="MultiMedia video 00:01:41" hw:document-type="MultiMedia" hw:document-href="acg1834" data-hwid="acg1834" hw:name-href="Hands-Only CPR" href="?id=acg1834#"><img class="HwMediaImage" data-hw-resource-path="media/thumbnails/acg1834.jpg" hw:resource-path="media/thumbnails/acg1834.jpg" src="https://ixbapi.healthwise.net/Resource/13.6/en-us/media/thumbnails/acg1834.jpg" width="190" height="107" alt hw:release-quarter="13.6"><span class="HwMediaTitle">Hands-Only CPR</span></a></li><li class="HwMediaItem HwMediaItemTopicImage" id="HwMediaItem-abs1329"><a class="HwMediaItemLink" data-hw-type="MultiMedia" data-hw-document-href="abs1329" rel="MultiMedia video 00:03:50" hw:document-type="MultiMedia" hw:document-href="abs1329" data-hwid="abs1329" hw:name-href="Infant CPR" href="?id=abs1329#"><img class="HwMediaImage" data-hw-resource-path="media/thumbnails/abs1329.jpg" hw:resource-path="media/thumbnails/abs1329.jpg" src="https://ixbapi.healthwise.net/Resource/13.6/en-us/media/thumbnails/abs1329.jpg" width="190" height="107" alt hw:release-quarter="13.6"><span class="HwMediaTitle">Infant CPR</span></a></li></ol></div> </div></div></div></div><div class="HwBlock" id="HwFooter"><div class="HwRow"><div class="HwCustom HwColumn" id="HwCustomFooterLeft"> </div><div class="HwColumn" id="HwFooterLegal"><div class="HwLegal HwElement" role="contentinfo"><div class="HwLogo"><a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en"><img class="HwNoHcMode" data-hw-resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo.png" alt="Click here to learn about Healthwise" src="https://ixbapi.healthwise.net/Resource/13.6/en-us/media/interface/hwlogo.png" hw:resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo.png" hw:release-quarter="13.6"><img class="HwHcMode" data-hw-resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo_hc.png" alt="Click here to learn about Healthwise" src="https://ixbapi.healthwise.net/Resource/13.6/en-us/media/interface/hwlogo_hc.png" hw:resource-path="media/interface/hwlogo_hc.png" hw:release-quarter="13.6"></a></div><div class="HwDisclaimer"><p>This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. 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