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How to perform Hands-On CPR

A cardiac emergency can happen anywhere. Performing bystander CPR in a cardiac arrest can have the greatest impact on survival. Be prepared and learn the check, call, care steps to administer compression-only CPR.

Follow these steps

Make sure the scene is safe. If the person is not responsive and breathing normally:

A minimalist, flat-style circular icon featuring a dark petrol-blue background and a thick black border. In the center, a white smartphone outline displays the number "911" at the top, a telephone handset icon at the bottom, and three curved lines—representing signal or transmission waves—extending from the right side of the device. The design is clean and geometric, utilizing uniform white lines against the solid background.

Call 9-1-1

  • Call 9-1-1 or send someone else to call 9-1-1.
  • Know your location.
  • Say your language, if its not English.
A minimalist circular icon featuring a dark blue background and a black border. In the center, a white line-art design depicts a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) maneuver. It shows the upper profile of a person lying down with two interlocked hands performing chest compressions, indicated by small motion or impact lines at the sides. The design is flat, graphic, and high-contrast.

Push hard and fast

In the center of the chest. At least 2" deep.

A circular icon with a dark teal background and a thick black border. Centered inside is a white line-art graphic of a heart shape integrated with an EKG (electrocardiogram) pulse line. To the right of the pulse line, the white text "100-120" is stacked above the text "BPM" in a clean, sans-serif font. The overall style is minimalist, flat, and modern, resembling a medical or fitness-related infographic symbol.

100-120 compressions/minute

Think of a song with 100 – 120 beats per minute to help you push.

A minimalist circular icon featuring a dark blue background and a black border. In the center, a white line-art design depicts a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) maneuver: one human figure performing chest compressions on another figure lying down. The design incorporates curved arrows indicating movement, a prohibition symbol on the left, and an electrocardiogram line on the right, all rendered in a flat, schematic graphic style.

Don't stop

If you get tired of pushing, take turns with someone else.

How to perform Hands-On CPR

Video from the American Red Cross.

Para ver este vídeo en español, utilice la configuración CC y seleccione subtítulos en español.

Video from the Seattle Fire Department.