Should You Do CPR or AED First?

CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, which is an emergency procedure used if a person’s heart stops beating or breathing ceases. 

CPR is a combination of chest compressions and artificial ventilation (breathing) to save a person’s life. When performed right away, it can increase a person’s chances of survival after cardiac arrest.

AED is a portable device used to treat people suffering from sudden cardiac arrest.

AED stands for Automated External Defibrillator, which is a portable device used to treat people suffering from sudden cardiac arrest, a potentially fatal condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating correctly. 

An AED analyzes the heart's rhythm and when necessary, delivers an electrical shock (defibrillation) to help the heart get back into a normal rhythm.

CPR is a combination of chest compressions and artificial ventilation (breathing) to save a person’s life.

The American Red Cross guidelines for performing CPR are as follows:

Before Giving CPR

• Check the scene and the person
  • Make sure the scene is safe
  • Tap the person on the shoulder and shout, "Are you OK?" to make sure the person needs help
• Call 911 for assistance
  • If it's clear the person needs help, call 911 (or ask a bystander to call), then send someone to get an AED
  • If an AED is not available or a there is no bystander to access it, stay with the victim, call 911, and get ready to give assistance 
• Open the airway
  • With the person lying on his or her back, tilt the head back slightly to lift the chin
• Check for breathing
  • Listen carefully, for no more than 10 seconds, for sounds of breathing (occasional gasping sounds do not equate to breathing) 
  • If there is no breathing, begin CPR

Red Cross CPR Steps

• Begin chest compressions
  • Place your hands, one on top of the other, in the middle of the chest
  • Push hard, push fast: use your body weight to help administer compressions at least 2 inches deep and delivered at a rate of at least 100 compressions per minute
• Deliver rescue breaths 
  • With the person's head tilted back slightly and the chin lifted, pinch the nose shut and place your mouth over the person's mouth to make a complete seal
  • Blow into the person's mouth to make the chest rise
  • Deliver two rescue breaths, then continue compressions
  • Note: If the chest does not rise with the initial rescue breath, re-tilt the head before delivering the second breath. If the chest doesn't rise with the second breath, the person may be choking. After each subsequent set of 30 chest compressions, and before attempting breaths, look for an object and, if seen, remove it.
  • Note: Rescue breaths are recommended by the American Red Cross. The American Heart Association recommends calling 911 and delivering chest compressions only.
• Continue CPR steps
  • Continue with cycles of chest compressions and breathing until: 
    • The person exhibits signs of life, such as breathing
    • An AED becomes available
    • EMS or a trained medical responder arrives on the scene
  • Note: End the cycles if the scene becomes unsafe or you are unable to continue performing CPR due to exhaustion