Head Injury | FAOTG

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CPR

IS IT AN EMERGENCY?

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.

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’schest 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.

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).