CPR: Ditch the "ABC"s and Catch a "CAB"

Chances are, when you learned CPR, you were taught your "ABCs" - airway, breathing, compressions. Now the American Heart Association wants you to catch a "CAB" - compressions, airway, breathing.

The steps are being reordered because taking time to open the victim's airway delays the start of chest compressions, which keep the blood circulating. Compressions act like an "artificial heart" to help keep the organ alive until help arrives. 

Under the new guidelines, CPR should consist of 30 chest compressions, then two breaths. Rescuers should push at least two inches deep on the chest of an adult and pump the chest at a rate of at least 100 compressions a minute. A good guide to this rate is to use the beat of the song "Stayin' Alive."

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