HOW to PERFORM ADULT CPR
This is intended as a supplement to information learned in a complete CPR course instructed by the American Heart Association. It is not to be used as your only guide for CPR unless in emergency situations. Please use this only as a guideline for the proper steps in CPR. For more information please contact your local American Heart Association for class information.
Can you save a life?
In an emergency, when every second is criticial, would you know what to do?
According to recent statistics sudden cardiac arrest is rapidly becoming the leading cause of death in America. Once the heart ceases to function, a healthy human brain may survive without oxygen for up to 4 minutes without suffering any permanent damage. Unfortunately, a typical EMS response may take 6, 8 or even 10 minutes.
It is during those critical minutes that CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) can provide oxygenated blood to the victim's brain and the heart, dramatically increasing his chance of survival. And if properly instructed, almost anyone can learn and perform CPR
Let's begin with CPR
HOW CPR WORKS
The air we breathe in travels to our lungs where oxygen is picked up by our blood and then pumped by the heart to our tissue and organs. When a person experiences cardiac arrest - whether due to heart failure in adults and the elderly or an injury such as near drowning, electrocution or severe trauma in a child - the heart goes from a normal beat to an arrhythmic pattern called ventricular fibrillation, and eventually ceases to beat altogether.
This prevents oxygen from circulating throughout the body, rapidly killing cells and tissue. In essence, Cardio (heart) Pulmonary (lung) Resuscitation (revive, revitalize) serves as an artificial heartbeat and an artificial respirator.
CPR may not save the victim even when performed properly, but if started within 4 minutes of cardiac arrest and defibrillation is provided within 10 minutes, a person has a 40% chance of survival.
Invented in 1960, CPR is a simple but effective procedure that allows almost anyone to sustain life in the first critical minutes of cardiac arrest. CPR provides oxygenated blood to the brain and the heart long enough to keep vital organs alive until emergency equipment arrives.
To make learning CPR easier, a system was devised that makes remembering it as simple as
A-B-C: Airway
Breathing
Circulation
Let's begin by emphasizing the very first step of Basic Life Support
WHEN TO DIAL 9-1-1
It is critical to remember that dialing 9-1-1 may be the most important step you can take to save a life.
If someone besides you is present, they should dial 9-1-1 immediately. If you’re alone with the victim, try to call for help prior to starting CPR on an adult and after a minute on a child.
Before we learn what to do in an emergency, we must first emphasize what NOT to do:
- DO NOT leave the victim alone.
- DO NOT try make the victim drink water.
- DO NOT throw water on the victim's face.
- DO NOT prompt the victim into a sitting position.
- DO NOT try to revive the victim by slapping his face.
Always remember to exercise solid common sense. When faced with an emergency situation we may act impulsively and place ourselves in harm's way. Although time should not be wasted, only approach the victim after determining that the scene is safe: always check for cars, fire, gas, downed electrical lines, and any other potential hazards before attempting to perform CPR
CPR FOR ADULTS
American Heart Association's guidelines dictate that Adult CPR is performed on any person over the age of 8. The procedure outlined in the following lessons is similar to Children CPR and Infant CPR, although some critical differences apply.
Before you start any rescue efforts, you must remember to check the victim for responsiveness.
If you suspect that the victim has sustained spinal or neck injury, do not move or shake him. Otherwise, shake the victim gently and shout "Are you okay?" to see if there is any response. If the victim is someone you know, call out his name as you shake him.
If there is no response, immediately dial 9-1-1 and check the airway
AIRWAY
A is for AIRWAY. If the victim is unconscious and is unresponsive, you need to make sure that his airway is clear of any obstructions. The breaths may be faint and shallow - look, listen and feel for any signs of breathing. If you determine that the victim is not breathing, then something may be blocking his air passage. The tongue is the most common airway obstruction in an unconscious person.
With the victim lying flat on his back, place your hand on his forehead and your other hand under the tip of the chin Gently tilt the victim's head backward. In this position the weight of the tongue will force it to shift away from the back of the throat, opening the airway
If the person is still not breathing on his own after the airway has been cleared, you will have to assist him breathing
BREATHING
B is for BREATHING. With the victim's airway clear of any obstructions, gently support his chin so as to keep it lifted up and the head tilted back. Pinch his nose with your fingertips to prevent air from escaping once you begin to ventilate and place your mouth over the victim's, creating a tight seal
As you assist the person in breathing, keep an eye on his chest. Try not to over-inflate the victim's lungs as this may force air into the stomach, causing him to vomit. If this happens, turn the person's head to the side and sweep any obstructions out of the mouth before proceeding.
Give two full breaths. Between each breath allow the victim's lungs to relax - place your ear near his mouth and listen for air to escape and watch the chest fall as the victim exhales
If the victim remains unresponsive (no breathing, coughing or moving), check his circulation
ADULT CPR REVIEW
In case of an emergency you may be the victim's only chance of survival. Until an ambulance arrives and professional assistance is available, you can increase that chance by 40% simply by remembering and effectively administering Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation.
1. Check for responsiveness by shouting and shaking the victim. Do NOT shake or move the victim if he has sustained spinal injury.
2. Call 9-1-1.
3. Remember your A-B-C:
- Airway: tilt the head back and lift the neck to clear the airway.
- Breathing: pinch the victim's nose and give two breaths, watching for the chest to rise with each breath.
- Circulation: if there is no pulse, perform 30 chest compressions - 2 hands, 2 inches.
4. Check for pulse and if necessary perform the cycle again
.
Congratulations! You've completed the first step toward proficiency in BLS, so sit back... relax... reward yourself with a good cup of coffee!
A brief quiz that follows is intended to reinforce what you've learned about Adult CPR and we strongly recommend that you take and pass the test yourself before proceeding to the next section.
Are you ready? Let's go to the Quiz
