What are the steps of cardiopulmonary resuscitation?
Nov 25, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Li Yun
Introduction
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), as an emergency measure to save individuals suffering from cardiac and respiratory arrest, primarily involves key steps such as assessing consciousness, calling for help, chest compressions, opening the airway, and providing rescue breaths. CPR must be continued until the patient regains consciousness and spontaneous breathing, or until professional medical personnel arrive at the scene. Learning and mastering CPR skills in daily life can help save precious time for others during emergencies.
Generally, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) serves as an emergency measure to save individuals experiencing sudden cardiac and respiratory arrest. The core steps primarily include assessing consciousness, calling for help, chest compressions, opening the airway, and providing rescue breaths. A detailed breakdown is as follows:
1. Assess consciousness: Gently tap the patient's shoulders and shout to check for any response, limb movement, or facial expression changes. At the same time, lean close to the patient’s mouth and nose to feel for airflow, and observe the chest for rising and falling. This entire assessment should be completed within 10 seconds.
2. Call for help: After confirming the patient is unresponsive and not breathing, immediately call for assistance from bystanders, clearly instruct someone to dial 120 (emergency medical services), and ask another person to locate an automated external defibrillator (AED) nearby, while you remain with the patient to prepare for further interventions.
3. Chest compressions: Position the patient lying flat on a firm surface and expose their chest. Interlock your hands with palms facing downward, placing the heel of your hand at the center of the chest, midway between the two nipples. Press straight down with a depth of 5–6 cm at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute. Ensure compression and release times are approximately equal.
4. Open the airway: After 30 compressions, place one hand on the patient’s forehead and use the other hand to lift the chin, tilting the head backward to open the airway. If there is visible foreign material or vomit in the mouth, remove it with your fingers to ensure the airway is clear, preparing for effective rescue breathing.
5. Rescue breathing: Pinch the patient’s nostrils shut, take a normal breath, then seal your mouth completely over theirs and blow steadily for at least one second, watching for visible chest rise—indicating effective ventilation. After blowing, release the nose and allow the chest to fall passively. Deliver two consecutive rescue breaths, then resume chest compressions, continuing the cycle.
CPR should be continued until the patient regains consciousness and spontaneous breathing, or until professional emergency personnel arrive. Learning and mastering CPR skills in daily life can provide critical time to save lives during emergencies.
