How to Perform CPR: Life-Saving Steps

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving first-aid procedure performed when a person's breathing or heartbeat stops, ensuring that blood continues to flow to the brain and vital organs. By applying rhythmic pressure to the chest, this process artificially mimics the heart's pumping action. When basic life support is applied correctly in the crucial moments before emergency medical help arrives, it can double or even triple a patient's chances of survival.

Knowing these simple yet highly effective steps is our greatest power to save the life of a loved one—or even a stranger—during unexpected emergencies. Requiring no medical equipment, this intervention helps a person hold onto life during critical moments where every single second counts.

In Brief:

• Checking for consciousness and breathing is the first and most critical step.
• If the patient is unresponsive, call the 112 Emergency Call Center immediately without wasting any time.
• Apply 100 to 120 compressions per minute to the exact centre of the chest.
• The compression depth for adults should be at least 5 centimetres, and you must allow the chest to fully recoil between pushes.
• If you lack professional training, you can simply perform hands-only, continuous chest compressions without giving rescue breaths.

What is CPR and Why is it Vital?

Known in medical literature as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, the simplest answer to "what is CPR?" is that it is a mechanical support procedure performed to revive a stopped heart and restore breathing. "Cardio" refers to the heart, and "pulmonary" refers to the lungs. When the heart suddenly stops, the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the body, particularly the brain, is cut off. Brain cells are incredibly sensitive to oxygen deprivation, and permanent brain damage begins just four to six minutes after blood flow stops.

Within ten minutes, this damage usually becomes irreversible. Basic life support steps in during this critical window; by mechanically compressing the heart, it forces blood to circulate through the vessels. When you press down on the chest, the blood inside the heart is pushed out toward vital organs. When you release the pressure, the heart refills with blood.

This cycle acts as a vital bridge until professional healthcare teams arrive at the scene to administer heart-starting medications or electroshock (defibrillation) therapy. This physical intervention, which requires no tools whatsoever, is the most important link in the chain of survival and directly determines the patient's likelihood of coming back to life.

What Are the Causes of Cardiac Arrest?

Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when an electrical malfunction in the heart causes it to suddenly lose its pumping function. In adults, the most common cause of this condition is a heart attack, which happens when the arteries supplying the heart muscle become blocked. Factors such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high blood pressure, diabetes, and genetic predisposition increase this risk. For more detailed information on this topic, you can read our article: What Are the Symptoms of Cardiovascular Blockages?

In addition to heart attacks, severe rhythm disorders (arrhythmias), heart failure, and congenital structural heart diseases can also lead to sudden cardiac arrest. However, the causes are not solely heart-related; drowning, electrocution, severe trauma, drug or medication overdoses, and severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) can also stop breathing, which in turn stops the heart.

Intense stress, extreme fatigue, and unhealthy lifestyle habits can place an extra burden on the heart, paving the way for unexpected crises. Therefore, the early detection of underlying risk factors and routine health check-ups play a massive role in preventing sudden cardiac arrests.

How Do You Know if Someone's Heart Has Stopped?

For an effective intervention, you must first assess the situation accurately. When you see someone suddenly collapse or lie motionless, the very first thing to do is check their consciousness. Gently tap the patient's shoulders and ask loudly, "Are you okay?" If you get no response, and they do not open their eyes or move, they are unconscious.

If they are unconscious, you must evaluate their breathing immediately. Watch the patient's chest movements, listen for breath sounds, and bring your cheek close to the patient's mouth to feel the warmth of their breath. This assessment should take no more than 10 seconds. If there is no normal breathing, or if the patient is only occasionally gasping in a noisy, irregular manner (agonal breathing), this means their breathing has stopped and their heart has either stopped or is about to stop.

Fainting is often confused with cardiac arrest. In a simple fainting spell, the person usually responds within a short time and continues to breathe normally. However, if unresponsiveness and a lack of breathing occur together, you must act without losing a single second.

Step-by-Step: How to Perform CPR

It is crucial to proceed systematically without panicking during a crisis. So, how do you perform life-saving CPR? The first rule is environmental safety; ensure that both you and the patient are safe. After checking consciousness and breathing, if there is no response, point directly to someone nearby and give a clear instruction: "You, call 112 and bring an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)." If you are alone, put your phone on speaker and dial 112 yourself.

Immediately lay the patient flat on their back on a firm, hard surface. Compressions performed on a soft bed will be ineffective. Kneel beside the patient. Place the heel of one hand on the centre of the lower half of the patient's breastbone (sternum). Place your other hand on top of the first and interlock your fingers. Position yourself so your shoulders are directly over the patient's chest, keeping your arms completely straight without bending your elbows.

Using your body weight, press down hard and fast so that the chest compresses by at least 5 centimetres. The compression rate should be between 100 and 120 pushes per minute. Allow the chest to return to its normal position completely after each compression, but do not take your hands off the chest. If you do not have a professional first aid certificate, simply continue with hands-only, uninterrupted chest compressions.

Why is First Aid Training Necessary for Everyone?

The vast majority of cardiac arrests happen outside of hospitals—whether you are at home, commuting on a busy Istanbul ferry, or working in the office. This means that if you encounter such a situation, the person in need of help will likely be a family member, a friend, or a colleague. Receiving basic first aid training helps you overcome the feeling of helplessness and gives you the confidence to intervene correctly and effectively.

Many people hesitate to step in because they are afraid of doing something wrong or breaking the patient's ribs. However, it must be remembered that a person whose heart has stopped has nothing left to lose; the biggest mistake you can make is doing nothing at all. Broken ribs can be treated medically, but an oxygen-starved brain cannot be repaired.

Practical training sessions build muscle memory by allowing you to practice on mannequins. Experiencing the correct depth, speed, and hand positioning ensures you can act without hesitation during a real crisis. For this reason, attending a certified training program is a social responsibility for every adult.

Differences in Basic Life Support for Babies and Children

While cardiac arrest in adults is usually caused by arrhythmias or heart attacks, the primary cause in babies and children is mostly respiratory failure. Choking, swallowing a foreign object, or severe asthma attacks drop oxygen levels, leading to cardiac arrest. Therefore, intervention steps for children differ slightly from those for adults.

For children between one and eight years old, chest compressions are generally performed using the heel of just one hand. The compression depth should be about one-third of the chest depth (approximately 5 cm). For infants under one year old, compressions are applied to the centre of the breastbone using only two fingers (index and middle fingers). The compression depth for babies should be about 4 centimetres.

Because respiratory issues are the primary concern in children and infants, if you have first aid training, giving 2 rescue breaths after every 30 compressions is far more critical. If you are alone with no one around to help, performing basic life support for two minutes (about 5 cycles) before calling 112 significantly increases the child's chances of survival.

When Should You Call 112 and Go to the Emergency Room?

Although cardiac arrest often happens suddenly, the body sometimes gives serious warning signs beforehand. A feeling of pressure, tightness, or heaviness in the centre of the chest, pain radiating to the left arm, jaw, or back, sudden cold sweats, unexplained shortness of breath, and severe dizziness can all be harbingers of a heart attack. When these symptoms appear, you should absolutely not wait, and the patient should never try to drive themselves to the hospital.

In such suspicious situations, call the 112 Emergency Call Center without delay and request professional medical help. Ambulance crews can begin first aid on the way and notify the hospital to prepare for your arrival. Especially if you lead a busy lifestyle, it would be highly beneficial to read our article titled Effects of Stress and a Fast-Paced Lifestyle on Heart Health to learn about factors that might put your heart at risk.

If you see a person suddenly collapse, become unresponsive, and stop breathing normally, you must initiate the cardiac arrest response chain immediately by calling 112 and starting chest compressions right away. The rapid activation of the emergency medical system is the most crucial step in the chain of survival.

Emergency Department Process at BHT CLINIC İstanbul Tema Hastanesi

In life-threatening situations such as suspected cardiac arrest or a heart attack, the correct medical intervention must be administered within seconds. The Emergency Department at BHT CLINIC İstanbul Tema Hastanesi provides uninterrupted service 24/7 with experienced Emergency Medicine Specialists and a multidisciplinary team of physicians.

Critical patients brought to our emergency department are immediately taken to advanced life support rooms, known as the "red zone." Here, interventions are carried out in areas equipped with state-of-the-art monitors, automated chest compression devices, defibrillators, and advanced ventilators. Thanks to our rapid laboratory facilities and our high-tech imaging centre that operates 24 hours a day, the patient's condition is evaluated in seconds to create the most accurate treatment plan.

Following a successful resuscitation, our patients are transferred to fully equipped intensive care units under the supervision of our cardiology specialists for continuous monitoring. For any health emergencies or to schedule your regular check-ups, you can reach us through our call centre at 0850 811 34 00, or easily book an appointment via our website.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a rib breaks while performing CPR?

Rib fractures can occur due to the strong pressure applied to the chest. This is quite common and does not require you to stop first aid. Broken ribs can be treated in the hospital; the main priority is preventing the brain and vital organs from being deprived of oxygen.

Is mouth-to-mouth resuscitation mandatory?

If you do not have professional first aid training or if you do not know the patient, you are not obliged to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (rescue breaths). Continuous, hands-only chest compressions are highly effective at maintaining blood circulation and saving lives.

How long should CPR be continued?

The intervention must continue uninterrupted until the patient starts breathing normally, begins to move, the 112 emergency medical teams arrive on the scene and take over, or you are completely physically exhausted.

Can CPR be performed on a bed?

No. Compressions performed on soft surfaces will push the patient into the mattress rather than compressing the chest, rendering the procedure ineffective. The person must be laid flat on their back on a hard, firm surface (such as the floor).

Who can use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)?

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are specifically designed to be used by people without medical training. Once turned on, the device guides you step-by-step with audible and visual commands, and it will only deliver a shock if the heart actually needs one.

This article is for informational purposes only; please consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.