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CPR, AED, and Emergency First Aid: The Core Steps

CPR and AED use follow a fairly consistent sequence across most first-aid guidelines (such as those from the American Heart Association and Red Cross). Here is the general flow for an adult β€” this is not a substitute for certified hands-on training.

  1. 1. Check the scene, then check responsiveness

    Make sure the immediate area is safe for you to approach, then tap the person's shoulders firmly and shout to check if they respond. If they are unresponsive and not breathing normally, treat it as a cardiac emergency.

  2. 2. Call your local emergency number and find an AED

    Call your local emergency number immediately, or have a bystander call while you begin care. If an AED (automated external defibrillator) is nearby, send someone to retrieve it β€” most public buildings have one clearly marked and mounted on a wall.

  3. 3. Begin chest compressions

    Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest, the other hand on top, and push hard and fast β€” about 5-6cm deep at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute, allowing the chest to fully rise between compressions. Continuous, uninterrupted compressions matter more than perfect technique.

  4. 4. Give rescue breaths at a 30:2 ratio (if trained)

    After 30 compressions, tilt the head back, lift the chin, pinch the nose, and give 2 rescue breaths, each lasting about a second and making the chest visibly rise. If you're not trained in rescue breaths or uncomfortable giving them, continuous hands-only compressions are still effective and better than stopping.

  5. 5. Use the AED as soon as it arrives

    Turn the AED on and follow its voice prompts exactly β€” it will guide you through pad placement (one below the right collarbone, one on the lower left side) and tell you when to stand clear for it to analyze the heart rhythm and, if needed, deliver a shock.

  6. 6. Once breathing resumes, use the recovery position

    If the person starts breathing normally on their own, roll them onto their side with the head tilted slightly back to keep the airway clear, and stay with them, monitoring breathing until emergency responders arrive.

Beyond CPR: recognizing other common emergencies fast

Burns: cool the area under cool (not ice-cold) running water for 10-20 minutes and cover loosely; don't apply ice, butter, or ointments. Bleeding: apply firm, direct pressure with a clean cloth and elevate the wound above the heart if possible. Fractures: immobilize the area in the position found rather than trying to realign it. Choking has its own distinct technique β€” back blows and abdominal thrusts β€” covered step by step in a dedicated choking first-aid guide. Nosebleeds: lean forward (not back) and pinch the soft part of the nose. Stroke: use the FAST check (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency services). Seizures: clear the area of hazards, cushion the head, do not restrain the person or put anything in their mouth, and time the seizure. Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction): use an epinephrine auto-injector immediately if one is available and call emergency services without delay, even if symptoms seem to improve afterward.

Adjustments for children and infants

For children (roughly age 1 to puberty), the compression depth is about 5cm, sometimes using one hand instead of two depending on body size, with the same 30:2 ratio. For infants (under 1 year), use two fingers instead of a full hand, compress about 4cm deep, and give gentle breaths that just barely make the chest rise, since an infant's airway is much smaller and more delicate than an adult's. This page provides general guidance only β€” a certified course (widely offered by organizations like the American Heart Association and Red Cross) is the only reliable way to build real competence and confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I still do CPR if I'm not trained in rescue breaths?

Yes. Hands-only CPR β€” continuous chest compressions without rescue breaths β€” is endorsed by major first-aid organizations as an effective option for untrained bystanders on an adult, and is far better than doing nothing while waiting for help to arrive.

What is the recovery position actually for?

It keeps the airway open and lets fluids (like vomit) drain out of the mouth rather than being inhaled, which is important for someone who is breathing but not fully conscious, while you wait for emergency responders.