CPR 1
CPR 1
CPR 1
Science-based Guidelines
The AHA develops science-based CPR guidelines and is the leader in first aid, CPR, and AED training. All
recommendations below are based on the AHA Guidelines Update for CPR and Emergency
Cardiovascular Care (ECC).
The American Heart Association invites you to share our vision: a world where no one dies from cardiac
arrest. Every year, 475,000 people die from cardiac arrest in the United States. Big number. Bigger
opportunity. With your help, we can bring that number down to zero. Join us today, starting with this
video: Learn more about the AHA's vision of a world where no one dies of cardiac arrest.
Immediate CPR can double or triple chances of survival after cardiac arrest.
Keeping the blood flow active – even partially – extends the opportunity for a successful resuscitation
once trained medical staff arrive on site.
Chain of Survival
CPR is a critical step in the AHA’s Chain of Survival. The term Chain of Survival provides a useful
metaphor for the elements of the ECC systems concept.
Rapid defibrillation
A strong Chain of Survival can improve chances of survival and recovery for victims of cardiac arrest.
chain of survival
using an AED
AEDs can greatly increase a cardiac arrest victim's chances of survival. The AHA offers a two-page guide
on how to implement an AED program at a company or organization. To minimize the time to
defibrillation for cardiac arrest victims, deployment of AEDs should not be limited to only trained people
(although training is still recommended).
Learn more about how the use of AEDs can dramatically boost survival of cardiac arrest patients.
For healthcare providers and those trained: conventional CPR using chest compressions and mouth-to-
mouth breathing at a ratio of 30:2 compressions-to-breaths. In adult victims of cardiac arrest, it is
reasonable for rescuers to perform chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120/min and to a depth of at
least 2 inches (5 cm) for an average adult, while avoiding excessive chest compression depths (greater
than 2.4 inches [6 cm]).
For the general public or bystanders who witness an adult suddenly collapse: compression-only CPR, or
Hands-Only CPR. Hands-Only CPR is CPR without mouth-to-mouth breaths. It is recommended for use by
people who see a teen or adult suddenly collapse in an out-of-hospital setting (such as at home, at work,
or in a park).
2 STEPS to save a life
For a visual comparison of Hands-Only CPR vs. Conventional CPR, view the CPR Guide Infographic (PDF).
High-quality CPR should be performed by anyone - including bystanders. There are five critical
components:
A recent study tested sixth graders and their capacity to use Hands-Only CPR to save lives. The study
found that the majority of children could perform CPR in the correct location and at the appropriate
compression rate, making this a viable group to train to help save lives. In fact, the AHA is dedicated to
training the next generation of lifesavers through its CPR in Schools program. We led the charge to make
CPR training a high school graduation requirement in 34 states – and counting!
Learn more and get resources and training kits designed specifically for schools.
According to a study released by the Resuscitation Science Symposium, men are more likely to receive
bystander CPR in public locations compared to women.
Women and men receive similar CPR assistance within the home, but in public 45 percent of men
received assistance compared to only 39 percent of women.
Men were 1.23 times more likely to receive bystander CPR in public, and their chance of survival was 23
percent higher compared to women.
So why the discrepancy? It could come down to anatomy and a bystander being comfortable enough to
perform CPR on a woman.
For more information on Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack, view the infographic.
Occurs when the heart malfunctions and stops beating unexpectedly. Cardiac arrest is an “ELECTRICAL”
problem.
Occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked. A heart attack is a “CIRCULATION” problem.
Find A Course
If you are interested in taking a course to learn the lifesaving skills of CPR, first aid, and AED, use the Find
A Course Tool to locate a Training Center near you.
Many AHA lifesaving training courses are available online via ShopCPR. Courses that involve only
cognitive learning can be completed entirely online. For courses that teach CPR, students must complete
an in-person skills practice and testing session with an AHA Instructor after they complete the online
portion. The Instructor will evaluate the student's skills and upon successful completion of both portions
of the course, the student will receive a course completion card, valid for two years. See more
information on blended learning and eLearning training.
CPR-Related Inquiries:
1-877-AHA-4CPR or 1-877-242-4277
International Inquiries
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