Hands-Only CPR: What to Do If Someone Collapses
Most cardiac arrests happen at home, and bystanders can double a person's chance of survival. Learn the simple steps of hands-only CPR before you ever need them.
Cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood. The person collapses, does not respond, and is not breathing normally. Every minute without help reduces the chance of survival, and an ambulance may take time to arrive. What you do in the first minutes can save a life.
Heart attack is not the same as cardiac arrest
A heart attack is a blockage that stops blood reaching part of the heart. The person is usually awake and has chest pain. Cardiac arrest is an electrical problem that makes the heart stop. The person is unconscious. A heart attack can lead to a cardiac arrest.
Hands-only CPR in 5 steps
The American Heart Association recommends hands-only CPR for adults who collapse. It means pressing on the chest without breaths. Trained people may add rescue breaths, but untrained people should simply push.
Check the scene and the person
Make sure it is safe. Tap their shoulders and shout "Are you okay?" If there is no response and no normal breathing, act at once.
Call for help
Call your emergency number. In India, dial 112. Put the phone on speaker so the operator can guide you. Ask someone to find a defibrillator (AED) if one is nearby.
Position your hands
Kneel beside them on a firm surface. Place the heel of one hand on the centre of the chest, lower half of the breastbone. Put the other hand on top and lock your fingers.
Push hard and fast
Keep your arms straight and push down at least 5 centimetres (2 inches), at a rate of 100 to 120 presses a minute. That is the beat of the song "Stayin' Alive".
Do not stop
Keep going until the person starts moving, an AED arrives, or emergency staff take over. Take turns every two minutes if someone else is there.
If an AED is available
An AED, or automated external defibrillator, is a device that gives an electric shock to restart a normal heart rhythm. It speaks instructions out loud. Turn it on, stick the pads on the bare chest as shown in the picture, and follow the voice. It will not shock someone who does not need it.
Common worries
- "I might hurt them." You may break a rib, and that is acceptable. A broken rib heals. A heart that stays stopped does not.
- "I am not trained." Hands-only CPR was designed for untrained bystanders. A phone operator can talk you through it.
- "What if I get it wrong?" Doing something is far better than doing nothing.
What most people miss
- For children and drowning victims, rescue breaths matter more because the problem is usually lack of oxygen. Learn full CPR from a certified course if you care for children.
- A short course helps a lot. Many hospitals and Red Cross chapters offer one to two-hour training sessions.
