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Safety Training Seminars
Safety Training Seminars
The Heartsaver Adult CPR Algorithm provides a simple, effective approach to recognizing cardiac arrest and delivering immediate, high-quality CPR. Learn correct hand placement, compression depth and rate, AED integration, and scene safety steps designed for workplace responders and lay rescuers to confidently act and improve survival outcomes.
When someone suddenly collapses, knowing what to do can make the difference between life and death. The American Heart Association (AHA) developed the Heartsaver Adult CPR Algorithm to give everyday people a clear, step-by-step guide for responding to cardiac emergencies. This framework is designed to be simple and effective, empowering you to act confidently when every second matters.
The Heartsaver Adult CPR Algorithm is a sequence of actions recommended by the American Heart Association for providing basic life support to an adult who is unresponsive and not breathing normally. It is a critical component of the “Chain of Survival,” a series of coordinated efforts that maximize the chances of survival after a sudden cardiac arrest.
The algorithm emphasizes a few core actions:
Following these steps ensures that the victim receives the best possible care until professional medical help arrives.
In a high-stress situation, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The Heartsaver Adult CPR Algorithm breaks down the process into manageable steps. Let’s review them one by one.
Before you do anything else, make sure the scene is safe for both you and the victim. Look for any immediate dangers like traffic, fire, or electrical hazards.
Once you confirm the area is safe, check if the person is responsive.
It’s important to distinguish between normal breathing and agonal gasps. Agonal gasps are short, sharp, or snorting breaths that are not effective for getting air into the lungs. These are a sign of cardiac arrest, not recovery. If the person is only gasping, you should proceed as if they are not breathing.
If the person is unresponsive and not breathing or only gasping, it’s time to get help.
Activating the emergency response system as quickly as possible is vital. It starts the process of getting advanced medical care to the scene.
Immediate chest compressions are the cornerstone of effective CPR. They manually pump the heart, circulating oxygenated blood to the brain and other vital organs.
Here’s how to perform them correctly:
After 30 chest compressions, you should give two rescue breaths. This provides a small amount of oxygen to the lungs.
Do not interrupt compressions for more than 10 seconds to give breaths. The focus should always be on minimizing interruptions to chest compressions.
Continue the cycle of 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths. If another person trained in CPR is available, you should switch roles every 2 minutes (or after about five cycles). This prevents fatigue and ensures the compressions remain high-quality.
An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a portable device that can analyze the heart’s rhythm and deliver an electrical shock (defibrillation) to restore a normal heartbeat. Using an AED is a crucial step in the Chain of Survival.
If no shock is advised, immediately resume chest compressions.
You should continue performing CPR until one of the following occurs:
Reading about the Heartsaver Adult CPR Algorithm is a great first step, but true confidence comes from hands-on practice. At Safety Training Seminars, we provide official American Heart Association courses that give you the skills needed to act decisively in an emergency. Our blended learning model combines convenient online coursework with in-person skills testing at one of our 70+ locations across California. This approach ensures you understand the theory and can perform high-quality CPR and use an AED effectively.
We offer daily classes, including on weekends and evenings, to fit your schedule. As a woman-owned business founded in 1989, we are committed to providing the highest quality training at the lowest prices, guaranteed. Upon completion of your skills session, you will receive your AHA certification card the same day. Book a class with us and gain the life-saving skills to protect your family, colleagues, and community.
The Heartsaver Adult CPR Algorithm is a step-by-step visual guide designed to help responders act quickly and confidently during adult cardiac emergencies. This infographic from Safety Training Seminars breaks down complex lifesaving actions into simple, easy-to-follow steps, ensuring that anyone, whether trained or untrained, can provide effective help. The algorithm emphasizes rapid recognition of cardiac arrest, immediate activation of emergency services, and high-quality chest compressions, all of which are critical for improving survival outcomes.
The infographic clearly demonstrates how to assess the scene for safety, check for responsiveness, and determine if the patient is breathing normally. It shows when to call emergency services and how to retrieve and use an AED efficiently. The Heartsaver Adult CPR Algorithm also highlights proper chest compression techniques, including correct hand placement, depth, and rhythm, while emphasizing the importance of full chest recoil and minimal interruptions. These visual cues make it easier for learners to remember key steps and act confidently under pressure.
Furthermore, the infographic explains when rescue breaths are needed and how to integrate AED use seamlessly during CPR. By presenting the algorithm in a clear, visual format, Safety Training Seminars helps learners retain critical knowledge, build confidence, and respond effectively in real-life emergencies. This infographic not only simplifies learning but also ensures responders are prepared to deliver timely, high-quality care, ultimately saving lives during sudden adult cardiac arrest.
The Heartsaver Adult CPR algorithm is a step-by-step process used to respond to adult cardiac arrest. It guides rescuers through scene safety, checking responsiveness, calling 911, performing CPR, and using an AED. Safety Training Seminars teaches this algorithm clearly in Heartsaver CPR classes.
Adult CPR requires a compression rate of 100–120 per minute and a depth of at least 2 inches. Proper recoil and minimal interruptions are essential. Heartsaver training at Safety Training Seminars emphasizes correct technique to improve blood flow and survival.
Rescue breaths are given after every 30 compressions when the rescuer is trained and equipped with a barrier device. Each breath should last one second and make the chest rise. Safety Training Seminars teaches both hands-only and conventional CPR options.
An AED should be applied as soon as it becomes available while CPR continues. Early defibrillation greatly improves survival from sudden cardiac arrest. Heartsaver courses at Safety Training Seminars stress rapid AED deployment with minimal CPR interruption.
Heartsaver Adult CPR training is ideal for workplace responders, teachers, caregivers, and the general public. It builds confidence to act during emergencies. Safety Training Seminars provides convenient, AHA-certified Heartsaver CPR classes for non-healthcare professionals.