AIR AMBULANCE INTERNATIONAL
CPR ABC 123
TIME IS LIFE.
CPR BASICS -This can save a life!
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 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.
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:
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 any potential hazards before attempting to perform CPR.
When you call the Ambulance - provide the following information as clearly as possible -
1. Your location
2. Your phone number
3. Type of emergency
4. Victim's condition
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 call Ambulance 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 (Figure 1). 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 (Figure 2).
CPR BASICS -This can save a life!
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 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.
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
- 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.
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 any potential hazards before attempting to perform CPR.
When you call the Ambulance - provide the following information as clearly as possible -
1. Your location
2. Your phone number
3. Type of emergency
4. Victim's condition
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 call Ambulance 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 (Figure 1). 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 (Figure 2).
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 (Figure 1).
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 (Figure 2).
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 (Figure 1).
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 (Figure 2).
C for Circulation
CIRCULATION "C" is for CIRCULATION. In order to determine if the victim's heart is beating, place two fingertips on his carotid artery, located in the depression between the windpipe and the neck muscles (Figure 1), and apply slight pressure for several seconds.
If there is no pulse then the victim's heart is not beating, and you will have to perform chest compressions
If there is no pulse then the victim's heart is not beating, and you will have to perform chest compressions
If the victim remains unresponsive (no breathing, coughing or moving), check his circulation
COMPRESSIONS When performing chest compressions, proper hand placement is very important. To locate the correct hand position place two fingers at the sternum (the spot where the lower ribs meet) then put the heel of your other hand next to your fingers (Figure 1).
Place one hand on top of the other and interlace the fingers (Figure 2). Lock your elbows and using your body's weight, compress the victim’s chest. The depth of compressions should be approximately 1½ to 2 inches - remember: 2 hands, 2 inches (Figure 3). If you feel or hear slight cracking sound, you may be pressing too hard. Do not become alarmed and do not stop your rescue efforts! Damaged cartilage or cracked ribs are far less serious than a lost life. Simply apply less pressure as you continue compressions.
Count aloud as you compress 30 times at the rate of about 3 compressions for every 2 seconds. Finish the cycle by giving the victim 2 breaths. This process should be performed four times - 30 compressions and 2 breaths - after which remember to check the victim's carotid artery for pulse and any signs of consciousness.
If there is no pulse, continue performing 30 compressions/2 breaths, checking for pulse after every 4 cycles until help arrives.
If you feel a pulse (i.e. the victim's heart is beating) but the victim is still not breathing, rescue breaths should be administered, one rescue breath every five seconds (remember to pinch the nose to prevent air from escaping). After the first rescue breath, count five seconds and if the victim does not take a breath on his own, give another rescue breath.
COMPRESSIONS When performing chest compressions, proper hand placement is very important. To locate the correct hand position place two fingers at the sternum (the spot where the lower ribs meet) then put the heel of your other hand next to your fingers (Figure 1).
Place one hand on top of the other and interlace the fingers (Figure 2). Lock your elbows and using your body's weight, compress the victim’s chest. The depth of compressions should be approximately 1½ to 2 inches - remember: 2 hands, 2 inches (Figure 3). If you feel or hear slight cracking sound, you may be pressing too hard. Do not become alarmed and do not stop your rescue efforts! Damaged cartilage or cracked ribs are far less serious than a lost life. Simply apply less pressure as you continue compressions.
Count aloud as you compress 30 times at the rate of about 3 compressions for every 2 seconds. Finish the cycle by giving the victim 2 breaths. This process should be performed four times - 30 compressions and 2 breaths - after which remember to check the victim's carotid artery for pulse and any signs of consciousness.
If there is no pulse, continue performing 30 compressions/2 breaths, checking for pulse after every 4 cycles until help arrives.
If you feel a pulse (i.e. the victim's heart is beating) but the victim is still not breathing, rescue breaths should be administered, one rescue breath every five seconds (remember to pinch the nose to prevent air from escaping). After the first rescue breath, count five seconds and if the victim does not take a breath on his own, give another rescue breath.
CPR Summary 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 you suspect he may have sustained spinal injury.
2. Call Ambulance.
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 2 breaths, watching for the chest to rise with each breath.
- Circulation: if there is no pulse, perform 30 chest compressions - 2 hands, 2 inches.
Congratulations! You have done it!