How do you check for a pulse?

In the steps of a “how to” regarding First Aid scenarios, there are a few steps that you may see recurring often. “Check for a pulse” is often the 2nd or 3rd step that you should take in a medical situation. But, how exactly do you check for a pulse? Let’s start by checking our own pulse first.

We’re going to try and find our radial pulse first. Your radial pulse is located on your wrist. Here are the steps to find it:

1. Take two fingers from your left hand, your index and middle, and place them on the edge of your thumb on your right hand. 

2. Drag your two fingers down your thumb until you reach a soft spot on the right side of your wrist. It’s beside the bony part of the wrist. 

3. Press down slightly to feel the pulse of your radial artery. If you can’t find the pulse, you may have to move your fingers around a bit. Make sure you aren’t pressing too hard--this can obstruct blood flow. It is important not to use your thumb in this step, because your thumb also has a pulse (It can interfere with your counting of the pulse).

4. Start a timer and count your pulse for 60 seconds. Then, record your pulse rate.

5. You just found your pulse!

To check someone else’s pulse, you can check in a few different places. The most common are the radial pulse, which we just checked above, and the carotid pulse, which is located in the neck. 

To check the radial pulse, follow these steps:

1. Extend the person’s arm to make it straight, and turn their palm to face upwards.

2. Take your index and middle fingers, like before, and place it in the middle of their wrist. 

3. Apply some pressure to feel their pulse. If you can’t feel their pulse, move your fingers around to find where it’s the most palpable. Once again, do not press too hard, or you will block their blood flow.

4. Use a clock or a watch to count their pulse for 30 seconds.

5. Multiply the number you get by 2 to get their pulse in BPM (beats per minute).

6. You just found their pulse!

To check the carotid pulse, follow these steps:

1. Take your index and middle finger and place them on the side of the person’s neck. The area of the pulse will be located in the soft, hollow area beside the bony part of the throat (the windpipe).

2. Press down slightly to feel their pulse. Do not press too hard or you may cause them to choke or may restrict their ability to breathe. Don’t take the pulse on both sides of the neck at the same time (you could slow blood flow to the head and cause fainting). If you can’t find their pulse, try moving your fingers around a bit.

3. Use a clock or a watch to count their pulse for 30 seconds.

4. Multiply the number you get by 2 to get their pulse in BPM (beats per minute).

5. You just found their pulse!

You can take someone’s pulse for less than 60 or thirty seconds. Just make sure for the amount of time you take, you multiply the pulse by the factor which will make the number of seconds reach 60. (Ex: 10 second got you 9 pulses, multiply 9*6 to get 54, because 10*6 = 60 seconds)

These are the standard results when taking someone’s resting heart rate:

• Newborns 0 to 1 month old: 70-190 BPM 

• Infants 1 to 11 months old: 80-160 BPM 

• Children 1 to 2 years old: 80-130 BPM 

• Children 3 to 4 years old: 80-120 BPM 

• Children 5 to 6 years old: 75-115 BPM 

• Children 7 to 9 years old: 70-110 BPM 

• Children 10 years and older, and adults (including seniors): 60-100 BPM 

• Well-trained athletes: 40-60 BPM

It’s always important to take someone’s pulse when you find them unconscious. An absence of a pulse may indicate that they need CPR. If their heart rate is abnormal, this can tell the pulse taker that there may be a health problem. If their pulse is too fast, they may have an infection or they may be dehydrated. A slow pulse may suggest that the heart isn’t working properly.

SOURCES CITED:

“Checking Pulse over the Carotid Artery.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/multimedia/checking-pulse-over-the-carotid-artery/img-20006075. Accessed 06 Feb. 2024. 

“How to Take Your Pulse.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 12 Apr. 2022, www.mayoclinic.org/how-to-take-pulse/art-20482581. 

NHS. “How Do I Check Someone’s Pulse?” Nhs.uk, 26 June 2018, www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/accidents-first-aid-and-treatments/how-do-i-check-someones-pulse/#:~:text=place%20your%20index%20first%20finger. ‌

“Pulse Information | Mount Sinai - New York.” Mount Sinai Health System, www.mountsinai.org/health-library/tests/pulse#:~:text=Measuring%20the%20pulse%20gives%20important. ‌

Written by: Amrutha Kothakota