CPR
Emergency life-saving technique; effectiveness in microgravity is now under active evaluation.
Last refreshed: 5 April 2026
Can you perform CPR on someone in zero gravity?
Latest on CPR
- Why is CPR difficult to do in space?
- In microgravity, the rescuer cannot use body weight to generate compression force. Pushing down on a patient's chest pushes the rescuer away instead, requiring adapted techniques such as bracing against a wall or straddling the patient.Source: background
- Did the Artemis II crew test CPR in space?
- Yes. On Day 5 of the mission, Reid Wiseman and Victor Glover tested CPR and choking-response procedures in microgravity to determine which emergency techniques still work without gravity.Source: background
- What happens if an astronaut needs emergency medical care beyond the Moon?
- Beyond low Earth orbit there is no realistic evacuation option. The crew must manage any medical emergency with onboard equipment and training. The Artemis II medical tests are directly aimed at preparing for this scenario.Source: background
- How is CPR adapted for zero gravity?
- Adapted techniques include the rescuer straddling the patient or bracing their feet against the cabin wall to create a reaction surface for compressions. These approaches are being validated on actual missions like Artemis II.Source: background
Background
On Day 5 of the Artemis II mission, the crew tested CPR and choking-response procedures in microgravity, attempting to establish which standard terrestrial emergency medical techniques remain viable without gravity. Commander Reid Wiseman and Pilot Victor Glover also inspected the onboard medical kit during the session.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) involves rhythmic chest compressions and rescue breaths to maintain circulation when the heart has stopped. On Earth, a rescuer uses body weight to generate the necessary force. In microgravity that mechanism fails: without gravity anchoring the rescuer, pushing down on a patient's chest pushes the rescuer away instead. Adapted techniques, such as straddling the patient or bracing against a cabin wall, have been developed but require in-flight validation at operational depth beyond low Earth orbit.
The Artemis II tests represent the first systematic evaluation of emergency medical protocols at lunar-transit distance, where evacuation to Earth is impossible and the crew must rely entirely on their own resources. The findings will inform medical training and equipment design for future Gateway and lunar-surface missions where crews could be days or weeks from medical assistance.