The basic 30:2 technique and how to use a public defibrillator.
Order on scene: 1. Secure the area (traffic, fire) 2. Shake + shout, does the person respond? 3. Airway: tilt the head back 4. Breathing: look, listen, feel for 10 seconds 5. If no normal breathing → call 112, put phone on speaker, start CPR Adult rhythm: 30 chest compressions, 2 rescue breaths. Compression depth 5–6 cm, rate ~100–120/min.
Unsure about rescue breaths? Give compressions only. It saves lives almost as well. Wrong CPR is better than no CPR.
AEDs (automated defibrillators) are now at train stations, malls, sports halls, and many petrol stations. Open, turn on, the device tells you exactly what to do. It only shocks when actually needed; you cannot harm anyone.
Survival chance after cardiac arrest drops by 10 % per minute without CPR. Ambulances average 10–15 minutes away, without bystander CPR, survival is near zero. Bystander CPR doubles survival rates.
For children (pre-puberty), use the same ratio as adults: 30:2. Compression depth: about 1/3 of the chest's depth. Call 112 first, the operator will guide you through the CPR in real time.