CPR/AED, FIRST AID TRAINING F.A.Q'S

The most recent update to CPR guidelines was released by the American Heart Association in October 2025. Key highlights include a compression rate of 100–120 compressions per minute, a compression depth of at least 2 inches but no more than 2.4 inches for adults, full chest recoil between compressions, and minimizing interruptions to less than 10 seconds. These guidelines reflect the latest evidence-based research in resuscitation science.

The AHA regularly reviews the latest resuscitation research through the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). Updates are driven by new clinical evidence showing which techniques improve survival rates. The 2025 guidelines refined compression depth limits, reinforced the importance of high-quality CPR, and updated protocols for infant resuscitation — including eliminating the outdated two-finger technique in favor of the 1-hand or 2-thumb encircling technique for infants.

Hands-only CPR (compressions without rescue breaths) is recommended for untrained bystanders or those who are not comfortable giving rescue breaths. If you witness an adult suddenly collapse, call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute. Hands-only CPR has been shown to be equally effective as conventional CPR for adult cardiac arrest witnessed by a bystander in the first few minutes.

CPR must be performed on a firm, flat surface. If the victim is on a bed or soft surface, carefully move them to the floor. If in a dangerous environment (fire, traffic, water), move the person to safety first. Support the head and neck, and try to keep the spine aligned. Once on a firm surface, begin compressions immediately. Every second counts — minimize delays.

Even high-quality CPR only generates about 25–33% of normal cardiac output. That's why it's critical to perform compressions at the correct rate (100–120/min) and depth (2–2.4 inches), allow full chest recoil, and minimize interruptions. This small percentage of blood flow can keep the brain and vital organs alive until advanced care arrives.

No — CPR should only be performed on someone who is unresponsive AND not breathing normally (or only gasping). If a person is unconscious but breathing normally, place them in the recovery position and monitor them until EMS arrives. Always check for responsiveness first by tapping the shoulders and shouting. If there is no response and no normal breathing, begin CPR immediately.

For adults, 2-person CPR uses a 30:2 ratio — 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. For infants and children, 2-rescuer CPR uses a 15:2 ratio. In 2-person CPR, rescuers should switch roles every 2 minutes (or 5 cycles of 30:2) to prevent fatigue and maintain high-quality compressions. The compressor should allow full chest recoil between each compression.

Signs that CPR may be effective include: the victim's skin color improving from blue/gray to a more normal tone, visible chest rise during rescue breaths, a palpable pulse during compressions (checked by a second rescuer), and in some cases the victim may gasp, move, or begin breathing. Use an AED as soon as one is available — it will analyze the heart rhythm and advise whether a shock is needed.

For a person with a tracheal stoma (a surgical opening in the neck), seal the mouth and nose, then deliver rescue breaths directly through the stoma. Use a pediatric-sized mask or round mask to create a seal around the stoma. Perform chest compressions as normal. If breaths don't go in through the stoma, try sealing the stoma and ventilating through the mouth and nose instead.

No special modifications are needed. Perform CPR as normal with compressions at the correct rate and depth. The sternum may have been previously cut and wired during surgery, but this does not change the CPR protocol. The priority is always to deliver high-quality compressions — do not hesitate because of a surgical scar. The risk of not performing CPR far outweighs any risk from compressions.

Rib fractures can occur in anyone during CPR, regardless of body type. Older adults and those with osteoporosis are at higher risk. Proper hand placement (center of the chest on the lower half of the sternum) and correct depth (2–2.4 inches) minimize the risk. Even if a rib breaks, continue CPR — broken ribs are not life-threatening, but cardiac arrest is.

If a person is in cardiac arrest, they are already clinically dead. CPR, even if performed imperfectly, gives them a chance at survival. Doing something is always better than doing nothing. Minor injuries like rib fractures or bruising may occur, but these are far preferable to the alternative. You cannot make a dead person 'more dead' — you can only help.

Rib fractures and cartilage separation are common during CPR, especially in elderly patients. If you feel or hear a crack, check your hand placement — make sure you're on the lower half of the sternum, not off to one side. Adjust if needed, but do NOT stop CPR. A cracked rib can heal; cardiac arrest without intervention is fatal. Continue compressions at the proper rate and depth.

Unfortunately, no. CPR significantly increases the chance of survival, but it does not guarantee it. Survival depends on many factors: the cause of arrest, how quickly CPR was started, how quickly an AED was used, the victim's overall health, and how soon advanced medical care arrives. However, without CPR, the chance of survival drops by 7–10% for every minute that passes. Your actions absolutely matter.

The recovery position is used for unconscious victims who ARE breathing normally. Roll the person onto their side, supporting the head and neck. Bend the top knee forward for stability. Tilt the head slightly back to keep the airway open. This position prevents the tongue from blocking the airway and allows fluids (like vomit) to drain from the mouth. Continue monitoring until EMS arrives.

First, ensure the scene is safe — do NOT touch the victim if they are still in contact with the electrical source. Turn off the power or use a non-conductive object (dry wood, rubber) to separate the victim from the source. Once safe, check for responsiveness and breathing. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 911 and begin CPR immediately. Electrical injuries can cause cardiac arrest.

Vomiting during CPR is common. Turn the victim's head to the side (or roll the entire body if a spinal injury is suspected) and sweep visible material from the mouth with your finger. Clear the airway, reposition the head, and continue CPR. Use a barrier device (pocket mask) if available to protect yourself. Do not delay compressions for prolonged suctioning.

If a person having a severe asthma attack becomes unresponsive and stops breathing normally, call 911 and begin CPR. Severe bronchospasm can lead to respiratory arrest and then cardiac arrest. CPR maintains circulation and provides oxygen to vital organs. Rescue breaths may meet resistance due to airway constriction, but attempt them and continue compressions. EMS will provide advanced airway management.

In infants and children, cardiac arrest is most commonly caused by respiratory failure rather than a primary heart problem. Common causes include drowning, choking/airway obstruction, severe asthma, infections (croup, pneumonia), SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), poisoning, and trauma. This is why rescue breaths are especially important in pediatric CPR. For infant CPR, the 2025 AHA Guidelines recommend the 1-hand or 2-thumb encircling technique for compressions — the two-finger method has been eliminated.

Leave dentures in place if they fit well — they help maintain the shape of the mouth and make it easier to create a seal for rescue breaths. If the dentures are loose or dislodged and are blocking the airway, carefully remove them. Never reach blindly into the mouth. If you can see the obstruction, remove it with a finger sweep, then continue CPR.

The risk of contracting HIV/AIDS from performing CPR is extremely low to virtually nonexistent. HIV is not transmitted through saliva. There has never been a documented case of HIV transmission through mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If you are concerned, use a pocket mask or barrier device. However, do not let fear prevent you from performing hands-only CPR — compressions alone can save a life.

While lawsuits are theoretically possible, they are extremely rare for bystander CPR. Every state in the U.S., including Colorado, has Good Samaritan laws that provide legal protection to rescuers who act in good faith during an emergency. As long as you act reasonably, do not act with gross negligence, and do not exceed your level of training, you are protected. The greater moral and legal risk is in NOT acting.

Yes. Colorado's Good Samaritan law (C.R.S. § 13-21-108) protects individuals who provide emergency care in good faith from civil liability. This protection applies as long as you act voluntarily, without expectation of compensation, and do not act with willful or wanton negligence. The law is designed to encourage bystanders to help in emergencies without fear of legal consequences.

Agonal respirations are abnormal, irregular gasps that can occur in the first minutes after cardiac arrest. They may sound like snoring, gurgling, or occasional gasping. Agonal breaths are NOT effective breathing — they are a sign of a dying brain. If a person is unresponsive and only gasping (not breathing normally), treat them as if they are not breathing and begin CPR immediately. Do not mistake agonal breaths for normal breathing.

Yes, CPR can be performed on dogs and other animals, though the technique differs from human CPR. For dogs, lay them on their right side on a firm surface. Compress the widest part of the chest at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute. Give breaths by closing the mouth and breathing into the nose. The ratio is 30 compressions to 2 breaths. Seek veterinary care immediately.

If the person shows obvious signs of life — purposeful movement, normal breathing, coughing, or speaking — stop CPR, place them in the recovery position, and monitor closely until EMS arrives. If they become unresponsive again or stop breathing normally, resume CPR immediately. Brief, involuntary movements or gasping (agonal respirations) during CPR are NOT signs of recovery — continue compressions.

Stop CPR only when: (1) the victim shows obvious signs of life and begins breathing normally, (2) trained medical professionals arrive and take over, (3) an AED is ready to analyze/shock, (4) the scene becomes too dangerous to continue, or (5) you are physically exhausted and unable to continue. If multiple rescuers are present, switch every 2 minutes to maintain high-quality compressions.

Survival rates vary widely depending on the circumstances. For witnessed cardiac arrest with immediate bystander CPR and early AED use, survival rates can reach 40–50% or higher. Without bystander CPR, survival drops by 7–10% for every minute without intervention. Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest has an overall survival rate of about 10%, but bystander CPR doubles or triples the chance of survival.

For a pregnant woman who is choking, start with 5 back blows between the shoulder blades, then perform 5 chest thrusts (not abdominal thrusts). Place your fist on the center of the breastbone (sternum), and thrust inward. Abdominal thrusts are avoided in late pregnancy to protect the fetus. Alternate between 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until the object is dislodged or the person becomes unresponsive. If she becomes unresponsive, begin CPR and call 911.

Not necessarily. High-quality CPR can restore a perfusing rhythm, especially when combined with early defibrillation. However, it's true that pulse checks by laypeople are often unreliable — studies show that even trained responders can take too long or make errors checking pulses. This is why the AHA emphasizes that untrained bystanders should not delay CPR to check for a pulse. If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, start CPR.