CPR and Choking — The Basics Everyone Should Know

You are old enough to save a life. Right now. This is not an exaggeration. In an emergency, the person who acts in the first few minutes is often the most important person in the room. Knowing two basic skills—CPR and how to help someone who is choking—can turn you from a bystander into a lifesaver. It’s a power that has nothing to do with being the strongest or smartest person, and everything to do with knowing what to do when everyone else is panicking.

When someone collapses or starts choking, people often freeze. They worry about doing the wrong thing. But the truth is, doing something is almost always better than doing nothing. When someone's heart stops, acting fast can double or even triple their chance of survival.Here are the absolute basics you need to know:Hands-Only CPR: If you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse and they are unresponsive and not breathing normally, you need to act. First, have someone call your country's emergency number. Then, push hard and fast in the center of the chest. Aim for about two compressions per second, to the beat of a fast song you know. Do not stop until help arrives. You do not need to do mouth-to-mouth.Choking: If someone cannot cough, speak, or breathe, they are likely choking. The universa...

Aaliyah was eating lunch in the crowded school cafeteria when a classmate at her table suddenly went silent. He grabbed his throat with both hands, his face turning red. A few students yelled for a teacher, but Aaliyah saw he couldn't breathe. She remembered the health class video. Without hesitating, she got up, stood behind him, and wrapped her arms around his waist. She made a fist, placed it above his belly button, and gave a hard, upward thrust. Nothing. She did it again, harder. On the third thrust, a piece of food flew out and he gasped for air. A teacher arrived seconds later. Aaliyah's hands were shaking, but her classmate was breathing. She didn't wait for an expert—she acted with what she knew.