In an emergency if you have to provide CPR for an adult (anyone over 8 years old) there are some basic instructions to be followed. First you must call emergency services immediately by dialing 911. Ensure that the scene is safe for you to help. If a person does not respond to shouts or shakes, is not breathing or is breathing abnormally then begin CPR. If you are alone do CPR for a full minute before calling. The possibility of a heart problem is greater in an older person and therefore the need for urgent professional care. If there are other people around, have someone call emergency immediately

Do not try to check pulse and do not remove water from lungs if drowning. It does not obstruct CPR and attempting to remove it may cause damage. Place the person on his back but do not move or tilt the head in case there is a neck or back injury. Instead, open the mouth with fingers and be sure that tongue is not blocking the throat. If air is NOT going through or the chest does NOT rise, look inside the mouth using finger sweep to remove any blockage. Do not do a blind finger sweep. If not breathing normally, pinch nose and cover the mouth with yours and blow until you see the chest rise. Blow in two breaths. Each breath should take 1 second. Abnormal breathing may sound like grunting, gasping or snoring. If you see this, DO NOT delay CPR. The person desperately needs air and only you can provide it.

If the victim is still not breathing normally, coughing or moving, begin chest compressions. Put heel of one hand midway between nipples and put the other hand on top of the first. Press down 15 times at the rate about 2 per second. Repeat 2 breaths followed by 15 chest presses. If you feel the pulse return, continue with only the breaths. If the person throws up, turn the head to the side and try to sweep out or wipe off the vomit. Continue with CPR till help arrives.