How to Do CPR on an Adult: A Step-by-Step Emergency Guide
Learn how to do CPR on an adult with this step-by-step emergency guide. Discover standard and hands-only CPR techniques to save lives in critical moments.
Written by Dr. Shaik Abdul Kalam
Reviewed by Dr. Vasanthasree Nair MBBS
Last updated on 19th Sep, 2025
Introduction
In a sudden cardiac arrest, the heart stops beating effectively, and blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs. Every minute that passes without CPR decreases the victim's chance of survival by 7-10%. This means that in the critical moments before an ambulance arrives, you are the most important person. Knowing how to perform emergency adult CPR can literally mean the difference between life and death. This guide is designed to demystify the process and give you the confidence to act. We'll walk you through the simple, critical steps of both standard CPR and Hands-Only CPR, empowering you to be the help until professional help arrives.
Before You Start: The Two Critical First Steps
Before you rush in, your own safety is paramount. You can't help anyone if you become a victim yourself. Your first actions must be swift and calculated.
Step 1: Ensure the Scene is Safe for You
Look around. Are there any immediate dangers like traffic, fire, falling debris, or exposed electrical wires? Do not enter an unsafe scene. If the area is hazardous, try to remove the danger (e.g., turning off electricity) or carefully move the victim to a safer location only if absolutely necessary.
Step 2: Check for Responsiveness
Tap the person firmly on the shoulder and shout loudly, "Are you okay? Are you okay?" Look for any movement, groaning, or eye opening. If they do not respond, they are unconscious and need immediate help.
Consult a Specialist for the best advice
How to Perform Standard CPR (Compressions + Breaths)
Once you've confirmed the person is unresponsive, it's time to begin the life-saving cycle of CPR.
Step 3: Call for Emergency Help
Yell for someone nearby to call for an ambulance immediately. In India, dial 108 or 112. If you are alone, put your phone on speaker and call emergency services yourself so you can start CPR while talking to the dispatcher. They can guide you through the process.
Step 4: Open the Airway and Check for Breathing
Carefully roll the person onto their back on a firm, flat surface. Place one hand on their forehead and the fingers of your other hand under the tip of their chin. Gently tilt the head back and lift the chin to open the airway. Now, look for chest movement, listen for breath sounds, and feel for air on your cheek for no more than 10 seconds. If they are not breathing or only gasping irregularly (a sign of cardiac arrest), begin CPR.
Step 5: Begin Chest Compressions (The Core of CPR)
Kneel beside the person. Place the heel of one hand on the center of their chest, right on the breastbone. Place your other hand on top and interlock your fingers.
Hand Placement and Body Position
Keep your arms straight and your shoulders directly over your hands. This allows you to use your upper body weight to compress, which is more effective and less tiring than using just your arms.
Compression Depth and Rate
Push hard and fast. Compress the chest at least 2 inches (5 cm) deep but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm). The compression rate should be 100 to 120 compressions per minute. A good trick is to push to the beat of the disco song "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees. Allow the chest to fully recoil (return to its normal position) after each compression to let the heart refill with blood.
Step 6: Deliver Rescue Breaths
After 30 compressions, give 2 breaths. Maintain the head-tilt, chin-lift to open the airway. Pinch the person's nose shut. Take a normal breath, make a complete seal over their mouth with your mouth, and blow in for about one second, just enough to make their chest visibly rise. If the chest does not rise, reposition the head and try again. Give a second breath.
Continue the cycle of 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. Do not stop until help arrives, an AED is ready to use, the person shows obvious signs of life (like breathing normally), or you are too exhausted to continue.
Hands-Only CPR: A Simplified, Life-Saving Alternative
If you are untrained, unwilling, or unable to give rescue breaths, hands-only CPR is highly effective and strongly recommended by the American Heart Association for untrained bystanders. It involves providing continuous chest compressions without stopping for breaths. For an adult who suddenly collapses, call emergency services and push hard and fast in the center of the chest. This keeps oxygenated blood moving to the brain and heart, which is the primary goal. It's simpler to remember and perform under pressure and can more than double a person's chance of survival.
How to Use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
An AED is a portable device that can analyse the heart's rhythm and deliver an electric shock to restart it. If one is available, turn it on immediately. The machine will provide clear, spoken instructions. Peel off the backing and attach the pads to the person's bare chest as pictured on the pad diagrams (one on the upper right chest, the other on the lower left side). Ensure no one is touching the person while the AED analyses the heart rhythm. If a shock is advised, the AED will tell you to press the shock button. Continue CPR immediately after the shock is delivered. Using an AED alongside CPR is the gold standard for treating sudden cardiac arrest.
Common CPR Mistakes to Avoid
• Not pushing hard enough: Shallow compressions won't effectively pump blood.
• Not allowing full chest recoil: This prevents the heart from refilling.
• Stopping for too long: Interruptions in compressions drastically reduce their effectiveness. Minimise any pauses.
• Giving breaths too forcefully or too many: This can cause air to enter the stomach, leading to vomiting.
• Not calling for help first: Your first action must be to activate the emergency response system.
Conclusion: Be the Help Until Help Arrives
A cardiac emergency is terrifying, but your knowledge is the most powerful tool in those first critical minutes. Remember the core actions: Call for help, Push hard and fast in the center of the chest, and use an AED if available. Even imperfect CPR is infinitely better than no CPR at all. By taking action, you are not just a bystander; you are a vital first responder providing a fighting chance for survival. Your courage can sustain a life, keeping the brain and organs alive until professional medical teams, like those dispatched by Apollo24|7's emergency partner network can take over. We encourage you to share this guide with your friends and family—you never know whose life you might empower them to save.
Consult a Specialist for the best advice
Consult a Specialist for the best advice
Dr. Rajib Ghose
General Practitioner
25 Years • MBBS
East Midnapore
VIVEKANANDA SEBA SADAN, East Midnapore
Dr. Shesham Srinidhi
General Practitioner
5 Years • MD(physician)
Hyderabad
Apollo 24|7 Clinic, Hyderabad
(125+ Patients)
Dr. Mohammed Kamran
General Practitioner
5 Years • MBBS, FIDM
Nashik
Apollo 24|7 Clinic - Maharashtra, Nashik
Dr. Thirupathy K S
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
11 Years • MD
Karaikudi
Apollo Hospitals Karaikudi, Karaikudi
(75+ Patients)
Dr. Mohamed Azeem
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
2 Years • MBBS,MD(Internal Medicine) CCEBDM
Karaikudi
Apollo Hospitals Karaikudi, Karaikudi
Consult a Specialist for the best advice
Dr. Rajib Ghose
General Practitioner
25 Years • MBBS
East Midnapore
VIVEKANANDA SEBA SADAN, East Midnapore
Dr. Shesham Srinidhi
General Practitioner
5 Years • MD(physician)
Hyderabad
Apollo 24|7 Clinic, Hyderabad
(125+ Patients)
Dr. Mohammed Kamran
General Practitioner
5 Years • MBBS, FIDM
Nashik
Apollo 24|7 Clinic - Maharashtra, Nashik
Dr. Thirupathy K S
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
11 Years • MD
Karaikudi
Apollo Hospitals Karaikudi, Karaikudi
(75+ Patients)
Dr. Mohamed Azeem
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
2 Years • MBBS,MD(Internal Medicine) CCEBDM
Karaikudi
Apollo Hospitals Karaikudi, Karaikudi
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What if I hear a crack or break a rib?
It is common to feel or hear a rib crack during effective CPR due to the force required. While not ideal, a broken rib is a manageable injury. Remember, the alternative—death—is far worse. Don't let the fear of hurting someone stop you from saving their life.
2. Should I perform CPR if the person is gasping?
Yes. Gasping is not normal breathing; it is a sign of agonal respiration, which often occurs in cardiac arrest. It indicates the brain is starved of oxygen. You should begin CPR immediately.
3. Do I need to check for a pulse?
For lay rescuers, the current guidelines recommend not wasting time trying to feel for a pulse, as it can be hard to find, especially under stress. The key indicator is unresponsiveness and absence of normal breathing.
4. Can I get sued for performing CPR?
Most countries, including India, have Good Samaritan laws that protect bystanders who act in good faith to provide reasonable emergency assistance without expectation of reward.
5. Where can I get certified in CPR?
Many organisations like the Indian Red Cross Society, St. John Ambulance, and local hospitals offer certified first aid training courses. It is highly recommended for everyone.