1 You Should Always Continue Cpr Until Which of the Following

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Why do I need to do CPR when someone is in cardiac arrest?
What if their heart is beating but they're not breathing?
How to do CPR in 5 steps
Do I need to give hands only CPR because of Covid 19?
Can I give rescue breaths if I want to?
How do I do CPR with rescue breaths?
Is a cardiac arrest the same as a heart attack?

Why do I need to do CPR when someone is in cardiac arrest?

A cardiac arrest is a serious emergency. It happens when there's an electrical problem in the heart and it suddenly stops pumping blood around your body. When your heart stops pumping blood, your brain gets no oxygen. It causes the person to fall unconscious and stop breathing. Without CPR the person will die within minutes.

CPR should only be done if someone is:

unconscious and not breathing
unconscious and not breathing properly.

If someone is unconscious but they're breathing normally call 999 and put them in the recovery position.

What if their heart is beating but they're not breathing?

This is called a respiratory arrest, and it'll become a cardiac arrest quickly without CPR. Don't waste time checking for a pulse – if someone is unresponsive and not breathing or not breathing normally then call 999 and start CPR.

Learn CPR today

Did you know we offer free CPR training? Learn to do CPR and use a defibrillator in just 15 minutes on your mobile phone or tablet with our RevivR™ CPR Training. Don't delay in learning this life saving skill, you never know when you'll need it.

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How to do CPR in 5 steps

Step 1: Shake and shout

If you come across someone who is unconscious, always check for hazards before you start helping.

Someone having a cardiac arrest will either not be breathing or they won't be breathing normally. They also won't be conscious.

Check for a response – gently shake the person's shoulders and ask loudly 'are you alright?'

Shout for help – if someone is nearby, ask them to stay as you might need them. If you are alone, shout loudly to attract attention, but don't leave the person.

Step 2: Call 999

If the person is not breathing or not breathing normally:

ask someone to call 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance
ask someone to find a public access defibrillator (PAD).

If there's no one around call 999 before starting compressions.

Step 3: Give chest compressions

Kneel next to the person.
Place the heel of one hand in the centre of their chest. Place your other hand on top of the first. Interlock your fingers.
With straight arms, use the heel of your hand to push the breastbone down firmly and smoothly, so that the chest is pressed down between 5–6 cm, and release.
Do this at a rate of 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute – that's around 2 per second. We tell people to think of Stayin' Alive by the Bee Gees and push to the beat.

Step 4: Keep going

Keep going until professional help arrives and takes over, or the person starts to show signs of regaining consciousness, such as coughing, opening their eyes, speaking, or breathing normally.
If you're feeling tired, and there's someone nearby to help, ask them to take over giving CPR. You can show them what to do and take turns until emergency help arrives.

Step 5: Use a defibrillator

As soon as a defibrillator is found turn it on and follow its clear instructions.
The defibrillator will decide whether a shock is needed and if so, it will tell you to press the shock button. An automatic defibrillator will shock the person without prompt. Don't touch the person while they're being shocked.

Doing CPR on a child or baby is different and it's important to know why. We have a step by step page on How to do CPR on a child or baby.

National Defibrillator Network - The Circuit We've joined with UK's top health providers to ensure that the thousands of unregistered defibrillators are added to the centralised network for easy access in emergencies. Find your nearest defibrillator and register yours

Do I need to give hands only CPR because of Covid 19?

Hands only CPR is the same as usual CPR but without rescue breaths. You push up and down hard on the chest continuously until emergency help arrives. This has become the recommended way to do CPR since the pandemic.

Can I give rescue breaths if I want to?

Rescue breaths are a bonus and it's your choice if you want to do them. Many people wouldn't hesitate to give rescue breaths to a family member but may not want to do so with a stranger. Every situation is different.
If there's a chance the person in cardiac arrest has COVID-19, lay a cloth or towel over their mouth and nose and do hands-only CPR until emergency help gets there.

For more information, see:

Resuscitation Council UK statement on COVID-19 in relation to CPR and resuscitation.
COVID-19 guidance for first responders on GOV.UK.

How do I do CPR with rescue breaths?

If you do want to give rescue breaths, you can give 2 after 30 pumps of the chest. Tilt the person's head back gently and lift their chin up with 2 fingers. Pinch their nose. Seal your mouth over theirs and blow hard for about a second. Do this twice. Then continue pumping the chest for 30 counts.

If you don't feel confident with this method keep pushing up and down to give hands only CPR. Hands only CPR is still very effective at keeping the heart pumping.

Is a cardiac arrest the same as a heart attack?

No, but both are medical emergencies so you should call 999 immediately.

A heart attack happens when an artery supplying blood to the heart muscle gets blocked. This starves part of the heart muscle of oxygen and causes chest pain or discomfort. A person having a heart attack is usually still conscious and breathing.

If a heart attack isn't treated, it can lead to a cardiac arrest.

If you're the person giving CPR to someone it can be a traumatic event, even if they survive.

Our support page talks about life after giving CPR.
Read about others who have performed CPR.

Buy a defibrillator

Defibrillators are available to buy from our online shop.

Page last updated: April 2022

Next update due: April 2024

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Source: https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/how-to-save-a-life/how-to-do-cpr