If you're sure the patient has no pulse and isn't breathing, put him or her on a flat, hard surface. Have a bystander call 9-1-1, or do it yourself before you begin CPR.

Start by giving the patient two rescue breaths. Tilt his or her head back, so the chin points slightly upward. Pinch the patient's nose and blow into his or her mouth. Watch the chest rise. Allow the patient to exhale before giving the second breath.

To start chest compressions, you'll have to find your landmark. In the middle of the chest, there's a hard flat bone that runs up and down called the sternum. Follow the sternum down toward the navel; at the end of the sternum, right above the belly, you'll find a little protrusion of bone (find it on yourself). That protrusion, called the xyphoid (ZI-foyd) process, is your landmark.

Move two finger-widths up from the xyphoid process. Put the palm of one hand on that spot, and your other hand on top of the first. Link fingers, lock your elbows, and press.

Do that 15 times, counting "one-one thousand, two-one thousand, three-one thousand..."

Repeat the process until medical help arrives.

While this obviously isn't a certification course in CPR, we provide these guidelines to demonstrate how relatively easily you can perform adequate CPR. We encourage you to take a first aid course to master the skills. Any help in an emergency situation could save a life.