GeneralHow Many Chest Compressions Per Minute and Other Common CPR Questions

When learning a new medical skill, such as CPR, you’re bound to have many questions. How do I know when to perform CPR? How many chest compressions do I provide? Can I really take CPR classes online? And what does CPR even stand for? Well, these questions are common enough, and by earning your CPR certification, you’ll learn the answers to all these questions and even more.

But in the meantime, we’re taking a closer look at this important life-saving procedure and answering some of the most common questions that CPR students have about the process. These answers, of course, are only the beginning. To learn how to safely and effectively perform CPR, you’ll need to sign up for a CPR training class and complete your online CPR certification.

What Does CPR Stand For?

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This medical procedure can help a victim remain stable when their heart stops until medical personnel can arrive. CPR essentially mimics the work of the heart by working to circulate blood, oxygen, and nutrients throughout the body and to all the vital organs. CPR can be used to assist victims of cardiac arrest, a heart attack, smoke inhalation, electrocution, or a near-drowning event.

How Many Chest Compressions Per Minute?

Chest compressions are perhaps the most important step when performing CPR. But how hard and how fast should you press? It’s recommended that your compressions go at least two inches deep into the victim’s chest (this changes for child and infant CPR) and you shouldn’t be hesitant to use full force. You should deliver the chest compressions at a rate of at least 100 compressions per minute.

CPR trainers have a whole selection of songs that they recommend people hum to help them keep the appropriate rhythm and rate. Here are some songs that can help you properly provide chest compressions:

• “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees
• “Dancing Queen” by ABBA
• “Rock Your Body” by Justin Timberlake
• “Just Dance” by Lady Gaga
• “Sorry” by Justin Bieber
• “Work It” by Missy Elliott
• “Another Brick in the Wall” by Pink Floyd

What is C-A-B for CPR?

Medical training is full of acronyms. CPR, of course, stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. But if you enroll in CPR training, you’ll hear a few others. C-A-B is one of the most common (and important) acronyms, standing for Compressions, Airway, and Breathing. This essentially breaks down the three critical steps when performing CPR: chest compressions, open the airway of the victim, and then provide rescue breaths.

How Do I Know When to Perform CPR?

In the midst of a medical emergency, you have to think—and act—fast. So, how do you know for sure that you should provide CPR to someone? If the victim is unresponsive or not breathing, these are both the two major signs that you should immediately begin CPR. Shake the victim gently and call out to see if they respond. Open the airway and put your ear to their mouth to check for a consistent breath.

How Long Should I Check for Breathing?

Remember, when a victim’s heart stops, every second counts. Even just a few minutes following cardiac arrest, the victim may suffer permanent brain damage or they could lose their life. You have to act fast, which means you shouldn’t wait too long to check their breathing. Generally, take no more than ten seconds to check for their breathing. Also, you don’t need to only use your ears. Keep an eye on their chest for movement and you can also feel for their pulse to see if they are conscious.

Do I Have to Also Provide Rescue Breaths?

Some bystanders may be hesitant to provide CPR because they’re worried about giving mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths. While there is no evidence that rescue breaths commonly transmit diseases, the fear is still out there. This is why many CPR experts now advocate for hands-only CPR. This form of CPR is just what the name implies—CPR without the rescue breaths. Some studies show that hands-only CPR can be just as effective as traditional CPR.

What if I Hurt the Victim Even More by Performing CPR?

While this is a common concern, it’s very unlikely that you would cause a more serious injury to the victim. If left untreated, cardiac arrest has a very high mortality rate; therefore, you shouldn’t worry about doing anything worse. Essentially, the worst thing you can do is to not act. In some cases, chest compressions have broken ribs, but still, a broken rib is preferable to brain damage or death. Of course, by earning your CPR certification, you’ll learn how to perform this procedure safely and effectively, minimizing the chance that you’ll hurt the victim.

Do I Need CPR Certification to Perform the Procedure?

While it’s highly recommended that you receive formal CPR training and certification, you don’t technically need it to perform CPR. CPR training ensures that you receive the best information from trained and licensed professionals. It also provides a chance for you to practice the procedure before ever having to use it. However, any form of CPR is better than no CPR. Even if you aren’t CPR certified, you should not hesitate to act in the middle of an emergency. Someone’s life could depend on it.

Conclusion – How Many Chest Compressions Per Minute and Other Common CPR Questions

CPR is an important life-saving procedure that almost anyone can learn. Hopefully the answers to these common CPR questions gave you a good start in learning more about this medical skill. However, to truly prepare yourself to safely and effectively administer CPR, you should enroll in a CPR training course. Now that you can earn your CPR certification online, it’s never been easier to learn this important skill.

This post has been sponsored by Meyer Finny, LLC