CPR
CAUTION
IS IT AN EMERGENCY?
RECOMMENDED MODULES FOR TREATMENT
CPR
BURNS
WOUNDS
ESSENTIALS
WHAT TO DO FIRST
1. CHECK FOR DANGER
Make sure the area is safe before you approach. Is anyone in danger?
2. IS THE PATIENT UNCONSCIOUS?
Try to get a response by asking questions and gently shaking his shoulders.
3. ASSESS FOR BREATHING
Is the casualty breathing normally (not just gasping)?
NO:
CPR/CHEST COMPRESSIONS
Ask someone to call for emergency help and get an AED if possible.
Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation/CPR withchest compressions alternating chest compressions with rescue breaths.
YES:
Check for and treat life-threatening conditions, such as severe bleeding. Call for emergency help.
Maintain an open airway. Place the casualty on his side in the recovery position.
4. IS THE PATIENT CONSCIOUS?
If a person is conscious and alert, it follows that her airway is open and clear. Breathing may be fast, slow, easy, or difficult. Assess and treat any difficulty found.
how to treat it
CPR FOR AN ADULT
1. POSITION HANDS ON CHEST
Place one hand on the center of the casualty’s chest. Place the heel of your other hand on top of the first and interlock your fingers, but keep your fingers off the casualty’s ribs.
2. GIVE 30 CHEST COMPRESSIONS
Lean directly over the casualty’s chest and press down vertically
at least 2 in (5 cm). Release the pressure, but do not remove your hands. Give 30 compressions at a rate of at least 100 per minute.
3. BEGIN RESCUE BREATHS
Pinch the casualty’s nose firmly to close the nostrils, and allow his mouth to fall open. Take a breath and seal your lips over the casualty’s mouth. Blow steadily into the mouth until the chest rises—this should take about
one second.
CPR FOR A CHILD
1. POSITION ONE HAND ON CHEST
Place the heel of one hand on the center of her chest, but keep your fingers off her ribs.
2. GIVE 30 CHEST COMPRESSIONS
Lean directly over the child’s chest and press down vertically to about one third of its depth. Release the pressure, but do not remove your hands. Give 30 compressions at a rate of at least 100 per minute.
3. GIVE TWO RESCUE BREATHS
Pinch the nose firmly to close the nostrils. Take a breath and seal your lips over the child’s mouth. Blow steadily into the mouth until the chest rises—this should take about one second.
4. WATCH CHEST FALL
Maintaining head tilt and chin lift, take your mouth away from the casualty’s. Look along the chest and watch it fall. Repeat to give TWO rescue breaths. Repeat 30 chest compressions followed by TWO rescue breaths.
5. CONTINUE CPR
Do CPR for two minutes, then call 911 for emergency help. Continue CPR until emergency help arrives, the child starts to breathe normally, or you are too exhausted to continue. If you are unwilling or unable to give rescue breaths, you can give chest compressions alone.
CPR FOR AN INFANT
1. CHECK THAT AIRWAY IS OPEN
Place the infant on his back on a flat surface, at waist height in front of you or on the floor, with a rolled-up towel under his shoulders.
2. POSITION TWO FINGERS ON CHEST
Lean directly over the infant’s chest and press down vertically to about one third of its depth— about 1½ in (4 cm). Release the pressure but do not remove your fingers. Give 30 compressions at a rate of at least 100 per minute.
3. CHECK THAT AIRWAY IS OPEN
Open the airway by putting one hand on the infant’s forehead and a fingertip of the other hand under the tip of his chin, and tilting up and back as shown. Pick out any visible obstructions from mouth and nose.
4. GIVE TWO RESCUE BREATHS
Take a breath, and place your lips over the infant’s mouth and nose, making sure you get a good seal. Blow steadily until the chest rises. Give TWO rescue breaths. Call 10111 for emergency help if this has not already been done and obtain an AED if available.
5. CONTINUE CPR
Continue CPR, alternating 30 compressions with TWO rescue breaths until emergency help takes over, the infant starts to
breathe, or you are too exhausted to continue. If you are unwilling or unable to give rescue breaths, give chest compressions only.
Chest-compression-only CPR
1. CHECK FOR RESPONSE
Check for a response. Gently shake the casualty’s shoulders, and talk to him. Assess breathing; if casualty is not breathing or only
gasping, go to the next step
2. BEGIN CHEST COMPRESSIONS
Kneel level with the casualty’s chest. Put one hand on the center of the chest and the heel of your other hand on top; interlock your fingers. Depress chest at least 2 in (5 cm), and release but keep your hands in place. Do compressions at a rate of 100 per minute.
3. CONTINUE CHEST COMPRESSIONS
Give chest compressions until emergency help arrives; the casualty shows signs of regaining consciousness, such as coughing, opening his eyes, speaking, or moving purposefully, and starts to breathe normally; or you are too exhausted to continue.
4. WATCH CHEST FALL
Maintaining head tilt and chin lift, take your mouth away from the casualty’s. Look along the chest and watch it fall. Repeat to give TWO rescue breaths. Repeat 30 chest compressions followed by TWO rescue breaths.
5. CONTINUE CPR
Continue CPR until emergency help arrives, the casualty starts to breathe normally, or you are too exhausted to continue. If you are unwilling or unable to give rescue breaths, you can give chest compressions alone (below).
CAUTION
Ensure that emergency services have been called.
Obtain and use an AED as soon as possible, attaching the pads and following the instructions.
Do not delay chest compressions until an AED becomes available.
If the casualty vomits during CPR, roll him away from you onto his side, ensuring that his
head is turned toward the floor to allow vomit to drain.
Clear his mouth, then immediately roll him onto his back again and recommence CPR.