BLS Healthcare Provider Training Course

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BEFORE YOU BEGIN CPR

CPR should only be performed on a person who is not breathing normally and unconcious. You should not perform CPR on anyone who is conscious and able to communicate.

Before beginning CPR, tap the victim on the shoulders firmly and ask if he or she is OK. Shout out the person's name if you know it. If you are not sure whether an infant is unconscious, check by tapping the infant's shoulder and shouting or by tapping the bottom of the infant's foot to see if the infant responds. An infant is defined as a child under 12 months of age.

If the victim does not respond but is breathing normally, do not perform CPR. Instead, ask for assistance from the EMS personnel.

Confirm the victim is not breathing by positioning yourself to see if the victim's chest rises and falls, and listen and feel for breaths of air from the victim. After you have confirmed that the victim is not breathing, prepare to start CPR.



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