When a heart stops: hands-only CPR

If someone suddenly collapses, does not respond and is not breathing normally, their heart may have stopped. Pressing on the chest (CPR) until the ambulance arrives keeps blood flowing to the brain.

Three steps

1. Check for a response: tap the shoulder and shout
2. Call for help: 108 or 112. Put the phone on speaker
3. Push hard and fast in the centre of the chest

How to push

• Heel of one hand in the centre of the chest, the other hand on top, fingers locked
• Arms straight; use your body weight to press down 5 to 6 cm
• 100 to 120 pushes a minute
• Let the chest come fully back up after each push
• Do not stop until help arrives or the person starts breathing; swap with someone when you tire

You cannot learn this from reading alone. Practise on a manikin in Arogya Mitra training. The method is different for small children and for drowning: learn those in training too.