EMBARG OED F O R RELEASE UNTIL 12:30 a.m.

MONDAY,
OCT. 18, 2010

American H eart Associ at ion: S teps for Adult CP R *

Based on 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary

Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care, Supplement to Circulation

The following summarizes the steps general public for adult CPR given by a
nonprofessional rescuer:

1. Make sure the scene is safe.

2. Shake the victim’s shoulders and shout to see if they respond.

3. If the victim does not respond, and the victim is not breathing or not breathing
normally, yell for someone to call 9-1-1 and get an AED, if available.
• If you’re alone, call 9-1-1 and get an AED if available. Follow the AED’s
voice prompts.
• If no AED is available, immediately start CPR, beginning with
compressions.

COMPRESSIONS
4. Push hard and fast on the center of the chest 30 times, at a rate of at least 100
compressions a minute. Push down at least 2 inches with each compression. If you
haven’t been trained in CPR, continue to give compressions until an AED arrives or
trained help takes over.

AIRWAY
5. If you have been trained in CPR, continue CPR by opening the airway with a head
tilt–chin lift.

BREATHING
6. Pinch the victim’s nose closed. Take a normal breath a cover the victim’s mouth with
your mouth, creating an airtight seal. Give two breaths (one second each). Watch for
chest rise as you give each breath.

7. Keep giving sets of 30 compressions and two breaths until the AED arrives or trained
help takes over.
* These steps are for the general public, not for healthcare professionals.