Understanding what CPR is and how you might be able to save a life!

CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a critical emergency technique that can restore blood flow and oxygenation to the body when someone’s heart stops beating or they stop breathing normally. It combines chest compressions and rescue breaths to mimic the heart’s pumping action and deliver oxygen. It can help in manually circulating blood carrying residual oxygen to vital organs like the brain until professional help arrives. 

Without CPR, brain damage begins in 3 to 4 minutes due to oxygen deprivation, and survival chances drop 7-10% per minute delayed. Even untrained bystanders can perform ‘hands-only’ compressions effectively, doubling or tripling survival odds in out-of-hospital arrests. 

When to perform CPR?

If a person is unconscious or unresponsive, not breathing normally (or only gasping), and has no pulse, you need to start CPR right then. But before that, make sure you ensure the scene is safe, tap their shoulder, and shout for help while checking breathing for 5-10 seconds. 

Call emergency services (like 108 in India or 911 elsewhere) immediately or instruct a bystander to do so if possible. If alone, you can also put the phone on speaker while moving onto doin the CPR. If available, send someone for an AED (automated external defibrillator), which analyses heart rhythm and delivers shocks if needed. 

Now, there are three different types of CPRs — one for adults, one for children and one for infants.

Adult CPR Steps 

Lay the person on a firm, flat surface. 

Position yourself kneeling beside their chest. 

Place the heel of one hand on the centre of the chest (lower sternum, between nipples).

Put your other hand on top, interlocking fingers; keep arms straight, shoulders over hands.

Push hard and fast: 2-2.4 inches (5-6 cm) deep, at 100-120 beats per minute (match the rhythm of songs like ‘Stayin’ Alive’).

Allow full chest recoil between compressions. Do 30 compressions (in about 18-24 seconds). 

Another helpful step is to do rescue breaths, however the same should be done only if the person is trained. 

Rescue Breaths 

Tilt head back slightly and lift chin to open airway.

Pinch nose shut, seal lips over theirs, give 2 breaths (1 second each), watching chest rise.

Each breath: 1 second, enough to make chest rise visibly; avoid over-inflation. 

Repeat 30:2 cycles until help arrives, AED is ready, or the person responds.

Child CPR Steps 

Use one hand for compressions (one or two hands for larger children). 

Depth should be 2 inches (one-third chest depth).

Hand position same as before — centre chest, just below nipples.

Keep giving 100-120 compressions/min — around 30 compressions.

For rescue breaths, seal mouth over mouth/nose and give smaller puffs to avoid stomach inflation. 

Repeat the cycle 30:2. If alone, do 2 minutes CPR before calling emergency.

Infant CPR (Under 1 Year)

Use two fingers (index/middle) on breastbone, just below nipple line to fo compressions. 

Depth should be 1.5 inches (one-third chest). 

Do 30 compressions at 100-120/min.

Rescue breath should be gentle puffs.

The cycle can be 30:2 while ensuring support head/neck. 

Hands-only CPR option

If untrained or breaths make you hesitate, do continuous compressions (100-120/min) without breaths — still highly effective for adults. 

CPR is crucial in saving lives while help arrives.
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What are some common mistakes to avoid?

– Compressions too shallow/slow: Aim for depth and speed; use body weight, not arms. 

– Excessive ventilation: Causes stomach inflation, reduces effectiveness. 

– Leaning on chest: Allow full recoil for blood refilling. 

– Stopping too soon: Continue until pros relieve you (fatigue?). Switch every 2 minutes). 

– Don’t fear injury—broken ribs heal; no CPR risks certain death.

Published – February 16, 2026 10:00 am IST