What is CPR?

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is an emergency procedure used when someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, which may indicate cardiac arrest.

CPR uses repeated chest compressions to help keep blood circulating to the brain and other vital organs while emergency medical help and a defibrillator are on the way.

Anyone can learn CPR, and acting quickly can make a significant difference to a person's chance of survival.

What Does CPR Stand For?

CPR stands for:

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

• Cardio relates to the heart.
• Pulmonary relates to the lungs.
• Resuscitation means attempting to restore vital functions such as circulation and breathing.

During cardiac arrest, the heart is no longer pumping blood effectively around the body. CPR helps maintain some circulation until more advanced treatment can be provided.

When Is CPR Needed?

CPR should be started when someone is:

• unresponsive; and
• not breathing normally.

Abnormal breathing can include occasional gasps, slow or laboured breathing or other unusual breathing patterns. Gasping should not be mistaken for normal breathing.

Under current Resuscitation Council UK guidance, if you find someone who is unresponsive, call 999 as soon as possible. If somebody else is present, ask them to make the call.

The ambulance service call handler can help you assess the casualty and talk you through CPR if needed.

If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, assume they are in cardiac arrest and begin chest compressions as soon as possible.

How Do You Perform CPR on an Adult?

This guide explains the basic adult CPR process.

1. Check for Danger

Make sure it is safe for you to approach the person.

Do not put yourself or others at unnecessary risk.

2. Check for a Response

Check whether the person responds when you speak to them and gently stimulate them.

If there is no response, get help.

3. Call 999

Call 999 as soon as possible for an unresponsive person.

If another person is available, ask them to call 999 and locate the nearest automated external defibrillator (AED).

Put your telephone on speaker if possible so that you can follow instructions from the ambulance service call handler while helping the casualty.

4. Check Their Breathing

Assess whether the person is breathing normally.

If they are unresponsive and not breathing normally, begin CPR.

Gasping, panting or irregular breathing should not be treated as normal breathing.

5. Start Chest Compressions

Place the heel of one hand in the centre of the person's chest, on the lower half of the breastbone.

Place the heel of your other hand on top and interlock your fingers.

Keep your arms straight and position your shoulders above your hands.

Push firmly down on the chest:

• at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute;
• to a depth of at least 5 cm but no more than 6 cm;
• allowing the chest to rise fully again after every compression; and
• keeping interruptions to an absolute minimum.

Continue until professional help takes over, the person begins to show clear signs of life, or you are physically unable to continue.

How Many Chest Compressions Should You Give?

If you are trained and willing to provide rescue breaths, use a ratio of:

30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths.

Then continue with repeated cycles of 30:2.

If you cannot or do not want to provide rescue breaths, carry out continuous chest compressions instead.

Doing something is much better than doing nothing.

How Do You Give Rescue Breaths?

If you have been trained and are willing to provide rescue breaths:

1. After 30 chest compressions, open the airway using a head tilt and chin lift.
2. Pinch the person's nose closed.
3. Make a seal around their mouth with yours.
4. Blow steadily for around one second, using enough air to make the chest begin to rise.
5. Give a second breath.
6. Immediately restart chest compressions.

Continue alternating 30 compressions and 2 breaths.

Avoid giving excessive amounts of air.

How Fast Should CPR Be?

Adult chest compressions should be performed at a rate of:

100–120 compressions per minute.

The aim is to maintain a steady rhythm while keeping interruptions as short as possible.

It is also important to allow the chest to recoil fully between compressions rather than continuously leaning on it.

How Deep Should CPR Compressions Be?

For an adult, the chest should be compressed:

at least 5 cm but no more than 6 cm.

Correct depth is important because compressions need to generate enough blood flow to the brain and other vital organs.

This is one of the reasons practical CPR training using a CPR training manikin can be so useful. Many modern manikins provide feedback on compression depth, rate and technique.

What Is Hands-Only CPR?

Hands-only CPR means providing continuous chest compressions without rescue breaths.

If you have not been trained in rescue breaths, are unable to provide them or are unwilling to do so, continue chest compressions at 100-120 per minute.

Do not delay CPR because you are worried about performing it perfectly.

The ambulance service call handler can guide you through what to do.

When Should You Use a Defibrillator?

An automated external defibrillator (AED) should be used as soon as one is available when someone is in cardiac arrest.

AEDs analyse the person's heart rhythm and determine whether an electric shock is required.

Modern AEDs provide clear spoken and/or visual instructions, and anyone can use one.

If an AED is available:

• Switch the AED on.
• Expose the person's chest.
• Attach the electrode pads in the positions shown on the pads or device.
• Continue CPR while the pads are attached if another rescuer is available.
• Follow the AED's instructions.
• Make sure nobody is touching the person while the AED analyses their heart rhythm.
• Deliver a shock if instructed.
• Resume CPR immediately when prompted.

Never delay CPR while waiting for a defibrillator to arrive.

View Defibrillators & AEDs

Why Are CPR and Defibrillation Both Important?

CPR and defibrillation perform different but complementary roles during a cardiac arrest.

CPR helps maintain blood flow to vital organs.

An AED analyses the heart's electrical rhythm and can deliver a shock when an appropriate shockable rhythm is detected.

Early recognition, early CPR and early defibrillation are key parts of the chain of survival.

Bystander CPR combined with the use of an AED can significantly increase the chance of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Can Anyone Use a Defibrillator?

Yes.

You do not need to be a healthcare professional or have previous AED training to use a public access defibrillator.

The AED guides the rescuer through the process and will only advise a shock when its analysis determines that one is appropriate.

Training can, however, help people become more familiar with the process and more confident about acting quickly in an emergency.

Why Is CPR Training Important?

Reading about CPR is useful, but practical training gives people the opportunity to practise the physical technique before they face a real emergency.

Training can help learners understand:

• correct hand position;
• compression depth;
• compression rate;
• full chest recoil;
• rescue breaths;
• how to minimise interruptions;
• how to recognise cardiac arrest; and
• how CPR and an AED are used together.

Repeated practice can also help people become more confident about responding to an emergency.

CPR Training Manikins

CPR training manikins allow learners to practise CPR safely without performing compressions on another person.

Depending on the model, training manikins may provide feedback on:

• compression rate;
• compression depth;
• chest recoil;
• hand position; and
• ventilation technique.

Adult, child and infant models are available to support different first aid and resuscitation training requirements.

They are widely used by:

• first aid instructors;
• training providers;
• workplaces;
• schools and colleges;
• healthcare organisations;
• emergency services; and
• community training groups.

Shop CPR Training Manikins

What Is an AED Trainer?

An AED trainer is a training device designed to simulate the operation of a real automated external defibrillator without delivering an electric shock.

They allow learners to practise:

• switching on an AED;
• attaching training electrode pads;
• following voice and visual prompts;
• safely clearing the casualty during analysis;
• responding to simulated shock instructions; and
• combining AED use with CPR.

Using an AED trainer alongside a CPR manikin allows learners to practise the complete response to a simulated cardiac arrest.

Shop AED Trainers

CPR Training for Workplaces and Organisations

CPR skills can be valuable wherever people live, work, study or spend their leisure time.

Organisations may choose to provide CPR and AED training for employees, volunteers or other nominated responders so they are more confident about what to do during a cardiac arrest.

Practical training using CPR manikins and AED trainers gives learners an opportunity to practise realistic emergency scenarios in a controlled environment.

For further information, see our CPR FAQs.

What Is the Chain of Survival?

The chain of survival describes the sequence of actions that can improve the outcome following cardiac arrest.

Important links include:

1. Recognising cardiac arrest and calling for emergency help.
2. Starting CPR quickly.
3. Using a defibrillator as soon as possible.
4. Advanced resuscitation and post-resuscitation care.

The actions of people nearby are therefore extremely important during the first few minutes of a cardiac arrest.

CPR Frequently Asked Questions

What does CPR stand for?

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is an emergency procedure used when someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally.

How many compressions per minute should CPR be?

Adult CPR should be performed at a rate of 100-120 chest compressions per minute.

How deep should CPR compressions be?

For adults, compress the chest to a depth of at least 5 cm but no more than 6 cm.

How many compressions and breaths should you give during CPR?

If trained and willing to give rescue breaths, provide 30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths and repeat.

If you cannot provide rescue breaths, continue chest-compression-only CPR.

Can you perform CPR without rescue breaths?

Yes. If you are unable or unwilling to provide rescue breaths, continuous chest compressions can still be given.

Do you need training to perform CPR?

Anyone can attempt CPR. Training is strongly beneficial because it gives you practical experience and greater familiarity with the correct technique, but lack of training should not prevent you from helping someone in cardiac arrest.

Can anyone use an AED?

Yes. AEDs are designed so that members of the public can use them. Switch the device on and follow its spoken or visual instructions.

Should you stop CPR when a defibrillator arrives?

No. Keep CPR interruptions as short as possible. If another rescuer is available, they can prepare and attach the AED while chest compressions continue. Follow the AED instructions and stop touching the casualty when the device tells you to stand clear.

Learn CPR. Practice CPR. Be Ready to Act.

Knowing what CPR is and recognising when it is needed can help someone respond quickly during a cardiac arrest.

Practical training can build on that knowledge by allowing people to practise chest compressions, rescue breaths and AED use in a safe environment.

Risk Assessment Products supplies equipment for CPR and AED training, including:

CPR Training Manikins - adult, child and infant models for practical resuscitation training.
AED Trainers - training devices for practising defibrillator use without delivering a shock.
Defibrillators & AEDs - AEDs for workplaces, schools, community locations and other settings.

Being prepared, recognising cardiac arrest and acting quickly can make a vital difference.