How to Give CPR to an Adult

How to Give CPR to an Adult

A practical guide for the Samaritans of Mandya community

Reviewed on 8 November 2026

If an adult is unresponsive and is not breathing normally, call 112 and start CPR. Occasional gasps are not normal breathing. Use an AED as soon as one is available. [1–3]

CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, helps keep blood circulating when the heart cannot pump effectively. This guide explains what a bystander can do for an adult or teenager who suddenly collapses. It focuses on hands-only CPR, with instructions for trained rescuers who can also give breaths. [2, 6]

If this is happening now, call for emergency help immediately. Do not delay assistance to finish this article or watch the video.

1 Check safety and responsiveness

Check for danger, such as moving traffic, electricity or fire. Approach only when it is safe. Tap the person’s shoulders and ask loudly, “Are you okay?” Shout for help if there is no response. [3]

Check for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds. If the person is unresponsive and is not breathing, or is only taking occasional gasps, assume cardiac arrest and act. A lay rescuer should not waste time trying to find a pulse. [2, 3]

2 Call 112 and ask for an AED

Ask a specific person to call 112 and another to bring an automated external defibrillator, or AED, if available nearby. An AED is a portable device that checks the heart rhythm and can deliver a shock when needed. [1, 4, 5]

If you are alone with a mobile phone, call 112 on speaker and begin CPR while following the dispatcher’s instructions. Give the exact location and explain that the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally. [1, 2]

3 Position yourself and your hands

Place the person on their back on a firm, flat surface if this can be done safely without delaying compressions. Kneel beside their chest. [2]

• Put the heel—the firm base—of one hand in the centre of the chest, on the lower half of the breastbone.

• Place your other hand on top and interlock your fingers.

• Keep your arms straight and your shoulders directly above your hands. [2, 3]

4 Push hard and fast

Press straight down, then release the pressure so the chest rises fully. Keep your hands in position without leaning on the chest between pushes. [2]

These compression targets follow the American Heart Association’s 2025 adult guidelines. [2]

If you are not trained, or cannot give rescue breaths, keep giving continuous chest compressions. Do not pause after every 30 pushes when performing hands-only CPR. [2]

If trained give 30 compressions and 2 breaths

If you are trained and willing and able to give breaths, use cycles of 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths. Tilt the head back and lift the chin to open the airway. Pinch the nose and seal your mouth over theirs. Give each breath over about one second, using just enough air to make the chest rise. Resume compressions promptly; keep the breathing pause under 10 seconds. [3]

A pocket mask may be used if you are trained and one is immediately available. Do not delay compressions while looking for equipment.

5 Use the AED as soon as it arrives

Turn on the AED and follow its voice instructions. [4]

• Expose the chest and wipe it dry if wet. Attach the pads as shown on their pictures—normally one on the upper right chest and one on the lower left side, below the armpit.

• If another rescuer is present, continue compressions while they prepare and attach the pads, until the AED tells you to stop.

• Make sure nobody touches the person while the AED analyses the rhythm or delivers a shock. Press the shock button if instructed; some devices deliver it automatically.

• Immediately resume CPR after a shock, or if the AED says no shock is advised. Follow further prompts. “No shock advised” does not mean CPR is no longer needed. [4]

6 Continue until someone takes over or the person recovers

Keep going until emergency professionals take over or tell you to stop, the person shows clear signs of life and breathes normally, the scene becomes unsafe, or you are physically unable to continue. If another capable rescuer is available, swap about every two minutes, with minimal interruption. [5, 8]

If the person is unresponsive but breathing normally, do not give chest compressions. Place them on their side in the recovery position if no serious injury is suspected, keep checking their breathing and follow the dispatcher’s advice. If a head, neck or back injury is suspected, avoid unnecessary movement; maintaining breathing takes priority. Restart CPR if normal breathing stops. [7]

When this adult guide is not enough

Children and infants need age-appropriate CPR. Rescue breaths are particularly important for them and for people whose cardiac arrest follows drowning, overdose or breathing problems. Hands-only CPR is not the preferred complete response in those situations. Call 112, follow the dispatcher and give CPR with breaths if you know how. If you cannot give breaths, chest compressions are still better than doing nothing. [6, 8]

Watch the CPR demonstration

The American Heart Association includes this hands-only CPR demonstration on its official education page. Watch it before an emergency to see the technique, then practise with a qualified instructor.

Watch Hands-Only CPR on YouTube — American Heart Association

Official American Heart Association page featuring the video

The video is produced for a US audience and may refer to 911. In India, call 112. [1]

Learn and practise before an emergency

For Samaritans of Mandya, CPR training is a practical way to prepare for service. Encourage your family or parish group to attend a recognised CPR and AED course. Practise compressions on a training manikin, never on a healthy person. Reading this article and watching a video do not replace supervised practice or provide certification.

Remember the sequence: check responsiveness and breathing, call 112, start compressions, use an AED and continue helping.

Sources and further learning

1. Government of India — Emergency Response Support System and 112

2. American Heart Association — 2025 Adult Basic Life Support Guidelines

3. American Red Cross — Adult CPR steps

4. American Red Cross — Using an AED

5. American Heart Association — Emergency treatment of cardiac arrest

6. American Heart Association — Hands-only CPR and CPR with breaths

7. American Red Cross — Caring for an unresponsive person who is breathing

8. Healthdirect Australia — CPR and when to continue or stop