Responding to an Unconscious Adult: CPR Steps for Rescuers

Start CPR

- Open the airway and check for breathing. If the person is not breathing, the rescuer should start one-man CPR.

- To open the airway, the rescuer tilts the person's head back and lifts their chin.

- To check for breathing, the rescuer places their ear and cheek close to the person's mouth and nose and looks for any movement or sound of breathing.

- If the person is not breathing, the rescuer starts one-man CPR by giving 30 compressions, followed by 2 breaths.

- The ratio of compressions to breaths is 30:2

- The rescuer pushes hard and fast on the person's chest, at a rate of about 100 to 120 compressions per minute.

- After 30 compressions, the rescuer gives 2 rescue breaths.

- The breaths should be given over 1 second and make the chest rise.

- The rescuer continues one-man CPR until an AED arrives or emergency medical services arrive.