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Sign up for our free e-mail newsletter, HEALTHbeat.   Email address:     Incontinence Weight Loss Prostate Disease Vitamins and Minerals Aching Hands See All Titles Common Medical Conditions Wellness & Prevention Emotional Well Being & Mental Health Women’s Health Men’s Health Heart & Circulatory Health   contact us		CPR on a Child 8 Years or Older or on an Adult 1. Lay the person on a hard, flat surface. Look into the mouth and throat to ensure that the airway is clear. If an object is present, try to sweep it out with your fingers. Use disposable surgical gloves if they are available. If vomiting occurs, turn the person on his or her side and sweep out the mouth with two fingers. Do not place fingers in the mouth if there is rigidity or if the person is having a seizure. 2. Tilt the head back slightly to open the airway. Put upward pressure on the jaw to pull it forward. 3. Look for the person’s chest to rise and fall. Listen for the sounds of breathing. Feel for the person’s breath on your cheek.
		4. If the person is at all responsive (if he or she is moaning, breathing, blinking, or moving any part of the body), his or her heart is beating; do not perform steps 6 or 7. If the person is not breathing, perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (see p. 1198), even if the heart is beating. If the person is breathing, cover with a blanket or clothing as for shock (see p. 1215). If the person is not responsive, feel for a pulse on the carotid artery. The artery is in the groove of the neck (see above) off to the side of the Adam’s apple. If you do not feel a pulse, go to step 5 immediately. 5. If the person is not breathing, pinch the nostrils closed with your thumb and index finger. Place your mouth tightly over the person’s mouth (use a mouthpiece if one is available). Blow two quick breaths and watch for the person’s chest to rise. Release the nostrils. 6. If the heart is not beating, kneel at the person’s right side. With the fingers of your right hand, find the bottom of the breastbone (in the center where the ribs meet). Place your index and middle fingers side by side, just above the bottom of the breastbone. Place the heel of your left hand just above your fingers, on the breastbone. Move your right hand and place it on top of the left, and interlock the fingers of the two hands. 7. With your elbows straight, push down briskly (about 2 inches) with the heel of your hand 15 times over about 10 seconds. Let the chest rise after each compression. CPR for an adult includes 15 chest compressions and two breaths. You may have to repeat the 15 chest compressions and two breaths multiple times. Push down on the chest 80 to 100 times per minute. Continue until breathing begins or help arrives. Count out loud: “1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 5,” until you reach 15. Release your hands. Repeat step 5 and watch for the person’s chest to fall. Feel for air being exhaled. Repeat, starting at step 5.
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