CPR Decisions

Imagine you come upon a possible victim.
Is the scene safe for you to help?

 
Yes     No

The scene is not safe.
Leave the scene and do not attempt to aid the victim - keep yourself from becoming an additional victim.

Start Over

Does the victim appear to be unconscious?

 
Yes     No

Ask the victim if they are choking and if you can help. Are they choking?

 
Yes     No

Give back blows and abdominal thrusts. What happens?

 
Object comes out
Victim begins to breathe
Victim becomes unconscious

Lay victim on his back, lift chin and tongue.
Look for an object inside the mouth. Is there an object?

 
Yes     No

Remove the object.

Continue

Tap the victim and shout, looking for a response.
Does the victim respond?

 
Yes     No

There is no need for CPR.
Ask the person what is wrong or if they need help.
Perform first aid if required.

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Call 911 or have someone else call. Do not move the victim.
Check for breathing for no more than 10 seconds.
Do you detect breathing?

Yes     No

There is no need for CPR.
Position the victim in a recovery position and continue to monitor until emergency responders arrive.

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Tilt head back and lift chin to open airway.
Check for breathing for no more than 10 seconds.
Do you detect breathing?

Yes     No

The airway opened and the victim can now breath. There is no need for CPR.
Keep the victim in this position and continue to monitor until emergency responders arrive.

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Is this an Adult?

Yes     No

Give two rescue breaths.
Did the chest rise indicating the breaths went in?

 
Yes     No

The airway does not appear to be open.
Repeat the head tilt-chin lift.

 
Continue

 
Give two more rescue breaths.
Did the chest rise indicating the breaths went in?

 
Yes     No

Perform 30 chest compressions.
 
Have any of the following occured?
 
No

• Signs of circulation noticed - Yes
• AED is ready - Yes
• Scene is unsafe - Yes
• You are too exhausted to continue - Yes
• A trained responder can relieve you - Yes

Perform 30 chest compressions.
 
Have any of the following occured?
 
No

• Signs of circulation noticed - Yes
• AED is ready - Yes
• Scene is unsafe - Yes
• You are too exhausted to continue - Yes
• A trained responder can relieve you - Yes

Lift chin and tongue.
Look for an object inside the mouth. Is there an object?

 
Yes     No

Remove the object.

Continue

Give two rescue breaths.
Do the breaths go in?

 
Yes     No

Check for breathing for no more than 10 seconds.
Do you detect breathing?

Yes     No

Attach the pads to the victim, turn on the AED and follow its instructions.

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You have done all you can for the victim.
CPR helps keep oxygenated blood circulating, but the majority of the time, it does not lead to a recovery unless emergency help arrives soon.

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Continue to perform CPR until the emergency relief can take over for you.

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