CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is an important skill to learn.

“When a person’s heart and breathing has stopped, you are essentially pumping their heart to circulate  the blood and then providing a little bit of oxygen for that blood to get circulated,” explained Cheryl Podtburg with the Duluth YMCA.

The first step in CPR is to make sure someone actually needs it. If someone appears unconscious, it should be double checked if that person actually is unresponsive before performing CPR.

Chest compressions should be done at the notch between the collar bone and the bottom of the rib cage.

The heel of the hand should be used to do the compressions.

Shoulders should be aligned over where someone is pushing and pushing should be done straight down.

A person should push down 1/3 the depth of the chest at 120 beats per minute.

Potburg suggests pushing to the beat of a song like “Stayin’ Alive” to keep the proper time.