Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): First Aid knowledge for every African

These provide artificial circulation. When you apply rhythmic pressure on the victim's breastbone, you force the heart to pump blood. 

To do external chest compression properly:

• Kneel beside the victim's chest. 
• With the middle and index fingers of your hand nearest the person's legs, find the notch where the bottom rims of the two halves of the rib cages meet in the middle of the chest. That is the sternum.
• Put the heel of your one hand on the sternum (breastbone) next to the fingers that found the notch. 
• Place your other hand on top of the hand that is in position. 
• Be sure to keep your fingers up off the chest wall. It may be easier to do this if you interlock your fingers.
• Bring your shoulders directly over the victim's sternum and press down, keeping your arms straight.

If the victim is an adult, depress the sternum about 1 and a half or 2 inches; then completely relax the pressure on the sternum. Do not remove your hands from the victim's sternum, but do let the chest rise back to its normal position between compressions. Note that relaxation and compression should take equal amounts of time.