{"id":10871,"date":"2020-08-27T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-08-27T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.procpr.org\/blog\/?p=10871"},"modified":"2022-07-01T12:40:13","modified_gmt":"2022-07-01T16:40:13","slug":"when-to-perform-cpr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.procpr.org\/blog\/training\/when-to-perform-cpr","title":{"rendered":"When to Perform CPR \u2013 How to Tell if Someone Needs CPR"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When it\u2019s done properly, CPR is an excellent\nlife-saving skill that has helped countless people survive and recover from an\naccident. The problem, though, is that many people don\u2019t know when they should\nor should not perform CPR. This lack of knowledge can be incredibly harmful to\nsomeone who needs it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are going to rectify this and arm all of you with the information you need to be a hero. We\u2019ll talk about the signs that a person may need CPR, how you can tell for yourself, and when you should or should not perform CPR. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

How can you tell if someone needs CPR?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It can be difficult to tell whether or not CPR is\nrequired in an emergency. This is completely understandable – adrenaline and\nfear cloud your judgment. If you learn to look for the signs that someone needs\nCPR, you can cut out the speculation and act as quickly as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are not breathing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If the person is not breathing, it\u2019s time to perform CPR<\/a> to circulate oxygenated blood through the body. Without blood flow and oxygen, the heart stops beating and the brain starts dying. The average person can only go without oxygen between four and six minutes before irreversible damage is done to the brain. If you start CPR within that time frame after cardiac arrest, there is hope that a person will survive without much brain damage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They take occasional gasping breaths<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When someone goes into cardiac arrest, they may continue to breathe for a while. If they occasionally gasp for breath, CPR compressions<\/a> should be started right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The heart has stopped beating<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you cannot feel a pulse, begin performing CPR.\nIf the heart isn\u2019t pumping, oxygen is not getting to the rest of the body.\nChest compressions keep blood flowing to the heart and brain until emergency\nresponders can take over and try other methods of resuscitation.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The person is unconscious\/unresponsive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is recommended that you begin CPR if the person is unconscious or unresponsive, and they are not breathing. Studies show that doing CPR when not needed, is less risky than not doing CPR when it is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When should you start CPR or compressions?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After determining that a person needs CPR, start\nimmediately. The faster you jump into action, the higher their chances of\nsurvival. Delaying longer than is necessary may damage the brain or other\norgans, leading to more problems down the road. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why might someone need CPR?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are having a hard time imagining when you\nwould need to perform CPR, take a look at some of the following examples to\nprepare you in case you witness an accident in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n