Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a first aid technique used if someone isn't breathing properly or if their heart is stopped. CPR combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) with chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain and deliver oxygen to the body until medical assistance arrives.
It's important to note that this explainer is not a substitute for proper CPR and first aid training by an accredited organisation. Knowing CPR and basic emergency first aid is important and can be life-saving. The good news is that CPR is a skill everyone can learn, and you don't need to be a health professional to do it.
If you are looking for a first aid course, there are training courses available across Australia and typically take a couple of hours. Head over to the CPR First Aid website here for more info about training courses.
Sonder’s team of trained nurses and medical professionals are always available to help you whenever you need advice on what to do. Just start a chat or give us a call via the home screen of the Sonder app - we’ll be with you in seconds.
When is CPR needed?
CPR is required when someone is unconscious or unresponsive, not breathing, or not breathing normally. It's important to administer CPR as soon as possible as this can help give them a chance when otherwise there would have been none.
If CPR is required, the first thing to do is call Triple Zero (000) for medical assistance and listen to the operator's instructions.
Next is to follow the 'DRSABCD' action plan, which is a step-by-step guide on how to provide assistance to someone who needs help while emergency services arrive. The letters stand for:
D - Danger: Ensure that the patient and everyone in the area is safe. Do not put yourself or others at risk. Remove the danger or the patient.
R - Response: Look for a response from the patient — loudly ask their name, squeeze their shoulder.
S - Send for help: If there is no response, phone triple zero (000) or ask another person to call. Do not leave the patient.
A - Airway: Check their mouth and throat is clear. Remove any obvious blockages in the mouth or nose, such as vomit, blood, food or loose teeth, then gently tilt their head back and lift their chin.
B - Breathing: Check if the person is breathing abnormally or not breathing at all after 10 seconds. If they are breathing normally, place them in the recovery position and stay with them.
C - CPR: If they are still not breathing normally, start CPR. Chest compressions are the most important part of CPR. Start chest compressions as soon as possible after calling for help.
D - Defibrillation: Attach an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to the patient if one is available and there is someone else who is able to bring it. Do not get one yourself if that would mean leaving the patient alone.
How to perform CPR on babies under a year old
Chest compression steps:
Lie the baby on their back.
Place 2 fingers on the lower half of the baby’s breastbone (in the middle of their chest).
Press down with your fingers (or palm for babies over six months) to about a third of the depth of their chest, then release to the rest position. This counts as one compression.
Note: You may need to use the palm of your hand instead of your fingers depending on the size of your baby.
Mouth-to-mouth steps:
Make sure the baby is resting in the neutral position, and their head and neck aren't tilted.
Gently lift their chin – be careful not to rest your hands on their throat as this could restrict air from getting into their lungs.
Take a small breath and cover the baby’s nose and mouth. Blow gently for one second, watching for their chest to rise.
After each breath, watch for the baby’s chest to fall. Place your ear and face close to the baby’s ear and nose to see if air is being expelled.
If your baby’s chest is not rising, gently check again for any blockages and remove them.
Continue to give 30 chest compressions, followed by two breaths (30:2). Aim for five sets of 30:2 in about two minutes.
Keep going until the baby recovers (they start to move, breathe normally, cough or cry) and then put them in the recovery position (onto their side), or until the ambulance arrives and the paramedics take over.
How to perform CPR on children over a year old
Chest compression steps:
Lie the child on their back.
Place the heel of one hand on the lower half of the child’s breastbone (in the middle of their chest).
Position yourself above the child’s chest.
Keep your arm straight and press down on their chest by a third of the chest depth, then release the pressure. This counts as one compression.
Mouth-to-mouth steps:
Open the child’s airway by gently placing one hand on their forehead and the other hand on their chin to tilt their head back.
Pinch the soft part of their nose closed.
With your other hand, open their mouth with your thumbs and fingers.
Take a breath and place your lips over the child’s mouth. Ensure you have a good seal so no air can escape.
Blow steadily for about one second, watching for the chest to rise.
After each breath, watch for their chest to fall. Listen and feel for signs that air is being expelled.
Maintain the chin lift and tilt position. Take another breath and repeat.
If the child’s chest is not rising, check again for any blockages and remove them. Then keep going with mouth-to-mouth.
Continue to give 30 chest compressions, followed by two breaths (30:2). Aim for five sets of 30:2 in about two minutes.
Keep going until the child recovers (they start to move, breathe normally, cough, or talk) and then put them in the recovery position (onto their side), or until the ambulance arrives and the paramedics take over.
How to perform CPR on adults and older children
Aim for 5 sets of 30 chest compressions to 2 breaths in about 2 minutes. If you can’t do mouth-to-mouth, stick with continuous compressions at a rate of approximately 100 per minute.
Chest compression steps:
Place the heel of one hand on the lower half of the person’s breastbone (in the middle of their chest).
Place your other hand on top of your bottom hand and grasp your wrist. Or you may like to interlock your fingers – depending on what feels comfortable.
Keep your arms straight and press down on their chest by a third of their chest depth, then release the pressure. This counts as one compression.
A good way to keep the correct rhythms of compressions is to follow the beat of the song 'Staying Alive' by the Bee Gees or 'Row, row, row, your boat'. If you really want to go left field, 'Baby shark' also works.
Mouth-to-mouth steps:
If the person is not breathing normally, make sure they are lying on their back on a firm surface.
Open the airway by tilting the head back and lifting their chin.
Close their nostrils with your finger and thumb.
Put your mouth over the person’s mouth and blow into their mouth. Make sure no air is leaking.
Give two full breaths to the person.
Check their chest is rising and falling. If this is not happening, tilt their head back, pinch their nostrils tightly and seal your mouth to theirs.
If still no luck, check their airway for any obstruction.
If you cannot get air into their lungs, go back to chest compressions – this may help shift an obstruction.
Continue to give 30 chest compressions, followed by two breaths (30:2). Aim for 5 sets of 30:2 in about 2 minutes.
Keep going until the person recovers (they start to move, breathe normally, cough, or talk) and then put them in the recovery position (onto their side), or until the ambulance arrives and the paramedics take over.
CPR can be physically tiring, so ask someone else to assist if you need a break.
If you have any questions or need extra support, we're here to help you anytime in any language. Simply start a chat with us via the home screen of the Sonder app.
Information sourced from: Australia Wide First Aid, Better Health, and Health Direct
All content in Sonder's Help Centre is created and published for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice.