Anyone Can Save A Life!!

Not trained in CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique.  The American Heart Association recommends that all CPR begin with chest compressions.  The difference between doing something and nothing could be someone's life! 

Hands-only CPR is the initial recommendation--100 chest compressions per minute.  If you are untrained, and determine the person is unresponsive, put the person on his or her back, kneel on the side at neck and shoulder level, and put the heel of one hand over the center of the chest, between the nipples.  With your other hand on top of the first, and your elbows straight and your shoulders directly above your hands, use your upper body weight to push straight down to compress the chest at least 2 inches, at a rate of 100 compressions a minute.  Continue this until there are signs of movement or emergency medical personnel arrive.  

Trained in CPR

If you are trained in CPR, after the initial 30 chest compressions, you can open the person's airway using the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver.  If rescue breathing is indicated, two rescue breaths to thirty chest compressions is considered one cycle.  For children ages 1-8, the cycles are the same, using only one hand and breathing more gently.  Most cardiac arrests in babies occur from lack of oxygen.  If you know the baby is choking, clear the airway first.  The cycle is still the same, but chest compressions are carried out with two fingers at the center of the chest.  In general, if you are alone, always perform CPR for at least 2 minutes before calling for help.  When it comes to CPR, quick and simple action can save a life! 

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309