CPR – or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation – is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating. Immediate CPR can double or triple chances of survival after cardiac arrest.

Hand Placement and Position

• When performing CPR on adults, caregivers should use both hands that are interlocked and placed between the nipples.
• For children ages one through eight, caregivers hands should use one hand placed between the nipples.
• Only two fingers should be used when CPR is performed on infants and should be placed just below the nipple line.

Chest Compressions

• When performing CPR on adults and children ages one through eight, the caregiver should press down two inches.
• When performing CPR on infants, the caregiver should press down one and a half inches.
• Caregivers should perform 30 compressions at 100-120 compressions per minute to allow the chest to recoil between compressions. Immediately follow compressions with rescue breaths.

Visit the American Heart Association website to learn more about performing CPR.