CPR

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

When a person is in cardiac arrest, their heart has stopped beating. The risk for cardiac arrest is higher if they’ve previously had a heart attack, heart failure, or other form of heart disease. CPR is required to restore function to the heart and lungs and get oxygen-rich blood circulating to the brain and throughout the body during an emergency situation.

CPR can be performed by anyone after certification, and it must be given immediately to prevent any lasting damage. At Bassett Healthcare Network, we offer classes that teach the proper way to administer CPR to revive a person who has stopped breathing without injuring them.

How to Perform Adult CPR

The basic method for adult CPR is to press very quickly and forcefully on the person’s chest.

To avoid injury, follow these steps:

• First, see if the person is responsive, and check to see if they have a pulse and are breathing. If there is no pulse, or if you’re not sure, call 911 immediately, or ideally have someone nearby call 911 while you begin CPR
• If an AED (automated external defibrillator) is available, have someone bring it to you. Do not delay starting CPR to look for a defibrillator
• Start CPR by placing one hand on top of the other with your fingers laced together
• Place your hands in the center of the person’s chest, on top of the breastbone (sternum), with your elbows locked
• Press down hard, so that the chest compresses at least one inch each time you press
• Keep pressing hard and fast (at least 100 times a minute) and don’t stop until paramedics arrive. A common trick to maintain rhythm is to push to the tune of the song “Stayin’ Alive"

How to Do Baby CPR & Child CPR

If a child is younger than one year old and not responding:

• Call 911 immediately, or get someone else to call.
• Turn the baby onto its back and tilt its head back to open the airway.
• With two fingers on the baby’s breastbone, start pushing hard and fast.
• If the baby still doesn’t breathe after two minutes of CPR, breathe twice into the baby’s mouth.
• Continue pressing until emergency responders arrive.

If the child is a toddler or older:

• Follow the same procedure as for adult CPR, but use only one hand to keep from injuring the child.
• Use two hands if you can’t apply sufficient pressure with just one hand.

If you feel any soreness or discomfort after doing CPR or using the defibrillator, the feeling is normal and will resolve itself after a short time.

Watch Our Hands-Only CPR Video

Hands-only CPR is CPR without breathing into the person’s mouth, also known as “mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.” Learn how to perform hands-only CPR by watching Bassett Healthcare Network’s Hands-Only CPR video.

Receive CPR Training

To learn more about how to do CPR and other life-saving interventions, contact us at 1-800-BASSETT and check out our Classes & Events calendar. Register for an upcoming CPR class to receive a CPR certification.

Bassett Healthcare Network is proud to offer life-saving CPR training in Cooperstown through Bassett Medical Center.