CPR Basics

Updated: Apr 18, 2023

Heart month isn't just about keeping your heart healthy.

It's also about learning CRP to save lives.

Here at VFJ Pilates we have the basics for you so you know just what to do in an emergency.

What is CPR?

CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a live saving technique performed when the heart stops beating. Combined with the use of a defibrillator it can double a persons chance of survival according to the British heart Foundation.

How do you perform CPR?

CPR involves chest compressions and rescue breaths. Ideally you will perform 30 chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths.

Chest compressions - For an adult you are looking at a depth of around 5cm and at a pace of about 100 to 120 beats per minutes. To find the rhythm singing a song such as 'Staying Alive' by the Bee Gees in your head as you perform them can help.

Rescue breaths - Tily the chin to open the airway, open the mouth and hold the nose closed. Take a breath and breathe into the mouth, making sure you have it fully covered, whilst looking down the chest to ensure it inflates. Do this twice.

But wait...

Does that mean I have to put my mouth on the mouth of a stranger?!?

Does this idea put you off performing CRP?

Don't worry it is recomended to just perform the chest compressions if you feel unable to give the resuce breaths or if there isn't a face mask available and you don't want to do them without one. After all doing something is always better than nothing.

How long does it take to learn CPR? It takes no time at all to learn CPR, in fact if you take advantage of The British Heart Foundations FREE online course, RivivR, you can learn it in just 15 minutes.