Official CPR advice from the American Heart Association

1. ■ Not trained. If you're not trained in CPR or don't want to put your mouth on the person's mouth or nose, then do hands-only CPR. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest 100 to 120 times a minute. Do this until medical help arrives. You don't need to place your mouth on the person's mouth or nose to give rescue  breaths.
2. ■ Trained and ready to go. If you're well trained and confident in your CPR ability, check to see if there is a pulse and breathing. If there is no pulse or breathing within 10 seconds, begin chest compressions. Start CPR with 30 chest compressions. Then give two rescue breaths. 

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

An NRI student, Anjali Madala from Fremont city of California State of USA, has come up with an excellent initiative and social responsibility  by founding a non-profit organization, “VITAL SQUAD” for raising awareness about the need for “Cardiopulmonary resuscitation” (CPR) training in India.  

The organization is driven by a mission to save lives by equipping the citizens, in particular students and young with essential life-saving skills through CPR training. The idea of training citizens is deeply personal to Anjali, who recalls the panic and despair when her father suffered a heart attack at home. In that critical moment, she dialled 911, and fortunately, swift medical attention arrived.  

This life saving experience of her father made her realize the harsh reality that heart related emergencies can strike in the most unexpected of situations also. With an estimated 6 lakh people succumbing to unexpected  cardiac deaths each year in India, yet only 3% of the population trained in CPR, the need for awareness and action has never been greater.  

Through “Vital Squad”, Anjali hopes to inspire a movement that empowers individuals with the knowledge and confidence to save lives.  Currently, the organization is focusing on training students and staff in both government and private schools. Initially, students are trained, and two teachers from each school are selected as trainers of trainees to ensure continuity in  CPR education.  

 So far, “Vital Squad”  has conducted training programs in schools across the old Nizamabad, Medak, and Hyderabad districts, donating one mannequin to each school to aid in continuous training.  

What is CPR?

CPR – or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation – is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating. Immediate CPR can double or triple chances of survival after cardiac arrest. CPR can keep oxygen-rich blood flowing to the brain and other organs until emergency medical treatment can get the heart beating again. When the heart stops, the body no longer gets oxygen-rich blood. The lack of oxygen-rich blood can cause brain damage in only a few minutes. The American Heart Association recommends starting CPR by pushing hard and fast on the chest. The pushes are called compressions. This hands-only CPR recommendation is for both people without training and first responders.