When someone suddenly collapses, hesitation can steal the precious seconds that keep blood flowing to the brain. Use this streamlined checklist to decide—fast—whether you should begin CPR:
| Question | Action | Time Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Is the scene safe? • No traffic, fire, electricity, weapons | If unsafe, move or call for help first. | < 5 sec |
| 2. Is the person responsive? • Tap shoulders & shout “Are you OK?” | No response → next step. | < 10 sec |
| 3. Are they breathing normally? • Look for chest rise. • Listen/feel for airflow. | Not breathing / only gasping → start CPR. | < 10 sec |
| 4. Do you feel a pulse? (for trained rescuers only, ≤ 10 sec) | • No pulse / unsure → start CPR. • Pulse present but not breathing → rescue breaths only. | ≤ 10 sec |
| 5. Call 911 & get an AED (or assign someone) | Put phone on speaker; follow dispatcher prompts. | Immediately |
| 6. Begin high‑quality chest compressions | • Center of chest, 2 in (5 cm) deep, 100‑120/min. • Allow full recoil. | Continuous |
| 7. Use the AED ASAP | • Turn it on and follow voice prompts. • Resume CPR immediately after any shock. | As soon as available |
Key Take‑Aways
- No normal breathing? No pulse? Start CPR. Waiting for certainty costs survival odds.
- Gasps are not breathing. Treat agonal respirations as cardiac arrest.
- Lay rescuers can skip the pulse check. Hands‑only CPR is far better than no CPR.
- Early AED use doubles survival. Send someone for it while you start compressions.
- Quality matters: push hard, push fast, minimize interruptions.
When in doubt—begin CPR. You’re far more likely to help than harm.
