When to Use and Avoid CPR
You should only use CPR for adults when they do not breathe at all. For infants and children, the technique should be done when they do not breathe normally. In addition, always apply CPR when children or adults do not respond properly when you tap or talk to them. This method is useful in the following situations: choking, heart attack, near-drowning, vehicle accident, poisoning, suffocation, electrocution, smoke inhalation, alcohol or drug overdose. In these cases, CPR may help oxygen and blood flows normally, especially to the brain, to prevent death or brain damage.[3]
Chest Compressions in CPR
Both types of CPR involve chest compressions. In people with cardiac arrest, the heart stop working properly and cannot pump oxygen-rich blood to other parts of the body. By performing chest compressions, you can aid the heart to pump blood to vital organs and prevent the death of body cells. For hands-only CPR, it is generally recommended to perform from 100 to 120 compressions each minute. These compression rates ensure the chest can have enough time to come back up after each push. [4]
