How to do hands-only CPR
If an adult collapses at the gym and is only gasping or not breathing at all, put 911 on speaker and send someone running for the nearest AED. Then push hard and fast on the middle of the breastbone: at least two inches deep, 100 to 120 times a minute, letting the chest come back up each time. Keep going until help or the AED takes over. Take a certified class to practice on a manikin.
About 15 minutes to learnSafety critical: tightly scoped, know when to call a professional
Mark it once you can do it without this page open.
How to do it
- Make sure nothing nearby can hurt you, then tap the person's shoulders hard and ask loudly if they are okay.
- Call your local emergency number, 911 in the US, put the phone on speaker, and send someone to find an AED.
- Look at the chest for no more than ten seconds; gasping or no breathing means start CPR.
- Kneel at their side, place the heel of your hand mid-chest with the other hand stacked on it, and lock your elbows.
- Press straight down at least two inches, 100 to 120 times a minute, and let the chest come all the way back up each time.
- Keep going without stopping, swapping with another person every two minutes if someone can take over.
- When the AED arrives, switch it on and follow its voice, then restart compressions straight away when it tells you.
- Keep going until paramedics take over, the AED says to stop, or the person starts breathing normally.
Stop and call a professional if
- Always call 911 first, or have someone call, and follow the dispatcher's instructions; they will coach you.
- This is for teens and adults; infants and children need different technique that a class teaches.
- Take a certified class in first aid and CPR: this page is a refresher, not training or certification.
In an emergency, call your local emergency number, 911 in the US. Take a certified class to practice this with an instructor.
Common mistakes
- Waiting to be sure before starting; occasional gasps are not normal breathing.
- Pushing too gently or too slowly.
- Leaning on the chest between pushes so it cannot rise.
- Stopping to check for a pulse every few seconds.
Quick self-check
Three questions. Your last score is kept in this browser.
Teach this to someone
A one-page sheet for showing a friend, a roommate or a kid: what to say, what to show, and one question to check it landed.
Teach: How to do hands-only CPR
What to say
If an adult collapses at the gym and is only gasping or not breathing at all, put 911 on speaker and send someone running for the nearest AED. Then push hard and fast on the middle of the breastbone: at least two inches deep, 100 to 120 times a minute, letting the chest come back up each time. Keep going until help or the AED takes over. Take a certified class to practice on a manikin.
What to show, in order
- Make sure nothing nearby can hurt you, then tap the person's shoulders hard and ask loudly if they are okay.
- Call your local emergency number, 911 in the US, put the phone on speaker, and send someone to find an AED.
- Look at the chest for no more than ten seconds; gasping or no breathing means start CPR.
- Kneel at their side, place the heel of your hand mid-chest with the other hand stacked on it, and lock your elbows.
- Press straight down at least two inches, 100 to 120 times a minute, and let the chest come all the way back up each time.
- Keep going without stopping, swapping with another person every two minutes if someone can take over.
- When the AED arrives, switch it on and follow its voice, then restart compressions straight away when it tells you.
- Keep going until paramedics take over, the AED says to stop, or the person starts breathing normally.
When to stop and call a professional
- Always call 911 first, or have someone call, and follow the dispatcher's instructions; they will coach you.
- This is for teens and adults; infants and children need different technique that a class teaches.
- Take a certified class in first aid and CPR: this page is a refresher, not training or certification.
The check question
Ask: How fast should chest compressions be?
Related skills
- How to use an AED
- What to say when you call 911
- Signs of a heart attack
- Every skill in First Aid and Emergencies
Words on this page
Sources
- National resuscitation and first aid guidelines, 2025 guidelines. Checked September 28, 2026.
Last reviewed . First published .