• Knowing how to perform CPR properly buys victims valuable time to receive necessary treatment.cpr head to head image by paul mitchell from Fotolia.com
  
  CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, refers to a procedure used to artificially oxygenate and circulate the blood. Using this procedure correctly buys a victim valuable time, increasing the time he can receive life saving treatment while reducing the chances of permanent damage to the heart, lungs and brain. CPR involves performing a series of chest compressions in conjunction with blowing air into the patient's mouth at specified intervals. In most cases, CPR is performed on people who have suffered sudden cardiac arrest.
  
  

Emergency Services

• In situations where only one rescuer is attempting to resuscitate someone who has collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest, the proper procedure is to contact emergency services immediately (call 911), and begin the process of performing chest compressions and rescue breathing at a rate of 30 compressions to 2 breaths.
  
  

Drowning Protocol

• In situations where only one rescuer is attempting to resuscitate someone who has asphyxiated, such as in a drowning situation, chest compressions and rescue breathing should commence for a period of 5 cycles, or two minutes, before contact is made with emergency services.
  
  

Assessment

• When assessing a patient who has been deemed to be unresponsive and unconscious, give two rescue breaths before checking for a pulse in the radial artery, which is located in the wrist. Checking for a pulse should last approximately 10 seconds. If no pulse is detected, begin administering chest compressions and artificial respiration at a rate of 30 compressions to two breaths for all age groups.
  
  

Artificial Respiration Rates

• If you detect a pulse in a non-breathing patient, continue rescue breathing without the addition of chest compressions at a rate of 10 to 12 breaths per minute for adults and 12 to 20 breaths per minute for infants and children.
  
  

CPR Cycles

• CPR cycles should consist of 30 chest compressions interrupted by 2 artificial breaths. CPR cycles should continue until advanced medical assistance arrives or the rescuer becomes too fatigued to continue.
  
  

Two Rescuer CPR

• When two rescuers are present, one rescuer should continuously perform chest compressions while the second rescuer delivers 8 to 10 breaths per minute. The compressing rescuer and breathing rescuer should exchange roles approximately every 2 minutes to avoid fatigue.