Knowing how to perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) can make the difference between life and death in an emergency. Every second counts when someone’s heart stops beating or they stop breathing, and having the confidence to act swiftly could save a life. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or simply a concerned bystander, understanding CPR is a vital skill for everyone.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of CPR, covering when and how to perform it on adults, children, and infants. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of this life-saving technique and the confidence to act in a crisis. Stay prepared—you never know when this knowledge might be needed.
What is CPR?

CPR, or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, is a life-saving emergency procedure performed when someone’s heart stops beating or they stop breathing. It combines chest compressions and rescue breaths to maintain circulation and oxygenation in the body, helping to keep vital organs functioning until professional medical help arrives.
The concept of CPR has evolved over centuries. Early resuscitation methods date back to the 18th century, but modern CPR as we know it was developed in the 1960s by researchers who discovered the effectiveness of chest compressions and artificial ventilation in restoring circulation and breathing.
The basic principles of CPR focus on maintaining blood flow to the brain and heart. This is achieved through a series of forceful chest compressions and, in some cases, providing breaths to introduce oxygen into the body. CPR is straightforward to learn and is designed to empower everyday people to act confidently in emergencies, saving countless lives worldwide.
Why Knowing CPR is Crucial

CPR has a profound life-saving impact, making it an essential skill for everyone. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, According to Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, around 25,000 Australians suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital every year. Only 10% of people will survive an out of hospital cardiac arrest. Without immediate intervention, survival rates drop by 10% with every minute that passes. However, when bystanders perform CPR, they can double or even triple the chances of survival, particularly if paired with the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Emergencies requiring CPR often happen unexpectedly, with studies revealing that around 70% of cardiac arrests occur at home. This means that knowing CPR can directly help save the life of a family member or loved one. Yet only a small percentage of people feel confident enough to perform CPR when needed.
CPR is also critical in other emergencies, such as drowning, choking, or severe trauma, where maintaining blood and oxygen flow to vital organs can prevent permanent damage or death.
Understanding CPR is about more than just being prepared—it’s about being part of a life-saving chain of action. By learning this skill, you’re not just gaining knowledge but becoming someone who can make a difference in the most crucial moments of another person’s life.
When to Perform CPR?

CPR is a life-saving procedure that should be performed in emergencies where a person’s heart has stopped beating (cardiac arrest) or they are not breathing. Recognising these situations quickly is critical to giving the individual the best chance of survival.
Here are some common scenarios where CPR is necessary:
- Cardiac Arrest: Sudden cardiac arrest can occur without warning due to heart disease, trauma, or other medical conditions. Signs include unresponsiveness and the absence of normal breathing or a pulse.
- Heart Attack: While a heart attack isn’t always the same as cardiac arrest, it can lead to one. If a person collapses and is unresponsive, begin CPR immediately.
- Drowning: If someone has been pulled from water and is unresponsive or not breathing, CPR is crucial to restore breathing and circulation.
- Choking: Severe choking can block oxygen flow, leading to unconsciousness. If the person stops breathing after choking, begin CPR.
- Drug Overdose: In cases where an overdose results in respiratory or cardiac arrest, CPR can keep oxygen flowing until medical help arrives.
In any of these situations, if the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, starting CPR immediately can make all the difference. Always call emergency services before or while administering CPR to ensure professional help is on the way.
How To Perform CPR: Step-by-Step Guide

Follow the DRSABCD Action Plan
D – Danger: Check for any dangers to yourself, the casualty, or others. Ensure the area is safe before approaching.
R – Response: Check if the person is responsive. Gently shake their shoulders and ask loudly, “Can you hear me?” or “Are you okay?”
S – Send for Help: Call emergency services (000 in Australia). If others are nearby, instruct someone to call while you begin CPR.
A – Airway: Tilt the head back slightly and lift the chin to open the airway. Check for blockages and remove them if visible.
B – Breathing: Look, listen, and feel for normal breathing for up to 10 seconds. If they are not breathing or breathing abnormally (e.g., gasping), start CPR.
C – CPR: Begin chest compressions and rescue breaths (explained below).
D – Defibrillator: Use an AED as soon as it’s available and follow its prompts.
Assessing the Situation
Let’s go into a more in depth look at the DRSABCD action plan. Before performing CPR, it’s crucial to assess the situation to ensure your safety and determine if CPR is needed. Start by focusing on Danger and Response:
- Danger:
- Look around for potential hazards such as traffic, fire, electrical wires, or unstable surfaces.
- Ensure the area is safe for you, the casualty, and bystanders before approaching.
- If the environment is unsafe, do not put yourself at risk—seek help from emergency services.
- Response:
- Approach the casualty and check if they are responsive.
- Gently shake their shoulders and speak loudly: “Can you hear me? Are you okay?”
- If they do not respond, they are unconscious, and further action is needed.
Assessing for dangers and a lack of response ensures you act safely and appropriately. If the person is unresponsive, proceed with the DRSABCD action plan, starting by calling for help and checking their airway and breathing.
Send for Emergency Help
In any emergency where CPR may be required, calling Triple Zero (000) in Australia or the relevant emergency number in your country is critical. This ensures professional medical help is on the way while you provide assistance.
If possible, delegate someone nearby to make the call, clearly stating the situation, location, and the person’s condition. If you’re alone, call before starting CPR.
Quickly sending for help ensures a higher chance of survival and support from advanced care.
Check Airway
To check if the airway is clear, gently tilt the person’s head back by placing one hand on their forehead and the other under their chin. Lift the chin upwards to open the airway—this helps prevent the tongue from blocking airflow.
Look inside the mouth for any visible obstructions, such as food or debris. If you see anything blocking the airway, carefully remove it with your fingers, but only if it’s easily reachable. Avoid blindly sweeping your fingers, as this could push the object further down.
This simple step ensures the airway is open and ready for breathing assessment or rescue breaths.
Check for Breathing
After ensuring the airway is open, check if the person is breathing using the look, listen, and feel method. This should take no more than 10 seconds:
- Look: Observe the chest for any visible rise and fall, which indicates normal breathing.
- Listen: Place your ear close to the person’s mouth and nose. Listen for the sound of air being expelled.
- Feel: Check for airflow on your cheek by positioning your face near the person’s mouth and nose or, place your hand on their diaphragm to feel for the chest rising.
If there is no breathing, or if the person is only gasping or breathing abnormally, they are in respiratory distress, and CPR should be started immediately.
This step is crucial in identifying whether intervention is needed to maintain oxygen flow to vital organs. If in doubt, proceed with CPR—it’s better to act than hesitate.

Begin Chest Compressions
Chest compressions are a vital step in CPR, helping to maintain blood flow to the brain and vital organs. To perform compressions effectively:
- Position Your Hands:
- For adults and children: Place the heel of one hand in the centre of the chest, on the lower half of the sternum. For adults, use both hands by placing one on top of the other and interlocking your fingers. For small children, use only one hand if needed.
- For infants: Use two fingers placed just below the nipple line.
- Compression Depth:
- Adults: Press down to a depth of about 5-6cm (1/3 of the chest depth).
- Children: Compress to about 1/3 of the chest depth.
- Infants: Compress to about 4 cm (1/3 of the chest depth).
- Compression Rate:
- Aim for 100-120 compressions per minute. Use a steady rhythm, such as the beat of “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees, to guide you.
- Allow Full Recoil:
- Let the chest return to its normal position after each compression to ensure effective blood flow.
Continue compressions without pause until rescue breaths are given or an AED or emergency services arrive. Every compression counts in keeping blood circulating.

Give Rescue Breaths
Rescue breaths provide oxygen to the person when they are not breathing. After every 30 chest compressions, give 2 rescue breaths:
- Open the Airway: Tilt the head back and lift the chin using the pistol grip method to open the airway. For infants DO NOT tilt their head back when giving rescue breaths.
- Seal the Mouth: Pinch the person’s nose shut and create a seal by placing your mouth over theirs. For infants, cover both the nose and mouth with your mouth.
- Deliver Breaths: Blow steadily into their mouth for about 1 second per breath, ensuring the chest visibly rises. If the chest doesn’t rise, reposition the head and try again. For infants just a small puff of air is needed not a full breath.
Repeat the cycle of 30 compressions and 2 breaths until help arrives or the person shows signs of life. If rescue breaths are not possible, continue with chest compressions only.

Continue Until Help Arrives
CPR must be continued without interruption until professional medical help arrives or the person shows clear signs of life, such as breathing or movement. Consistent chest compressions and rescue breaths are essential to maintaining blood and oxygen flow to vital organs.
If you become too exhausted to continue, try to find someone nearby to take over, ensuring minimal breaks in compressions. The arrival of emergency services or the availability of an AED will provide additional support to increase the chance of survival. Never stop CPR unless directed by a medical professional, the person recovers, or you are too exhausted to continue and don’t have someone to take over. Every second counts.
Enroll in Our First Aid Course Today!
Knowing CPR is a critical skill that empowers you to act confidently and save lives in emergencies. Whether it’s a cardiac arrest, drowning, or choking incident, your ability to perform CPR could mean the difference between life and death.
By getting certified through our comprehensive first aid course, you’ll not only learn CPR but also gain the knowledge and confidence to handle a range of emergency situations. Our expert trainers ensure hands-on practice, making it easy to retain these life-saving skills.
Don’t wait until it’s too late—equip yourself with the tools to protect your loved ones and community. Enroll today and take the first step toward becoming a life-saver!