CPR in Adults MarieClaire Farrell 40076991 Outline CPR

CPR in Adults Marie-Claire Farrell 40076991

Outline • CPR is a very simple but essential skill for First Aid • It can mean the difference between life and death • Learning CPR can be achieved using 9 steps • Using this same approach when assessing a medical situation will provide structure and confidence to give safe assistance

Step 1: Danger • Assess the area for danger! • You cannot help a patient if you endanger yourself in the process • Search the area for broken glass, blood or fluid on the floor, electrical cables, sharp objects or needles

Step 2: Help • Don’t forget to shout for help • At this stage you do not know if you have a conscious breathing or an unconscious non breathing casualty. • It is important to have someone on standby for assistance if required • Ask for a defibrillator if one is available

Step 3: Conscious Level • Is the patient alert and conscious? Will they need CPR? • Gently shake their shoulders • Say loudly into each ear “Hello, can you open your eyes for me? ” • Asking the patient to perform an action is a more efficient way to receive a response • Speak into both ears! Patient may be deaf in one ear or have a hearing aid in situ

Step 4: Airways • Listen, look and feel! • Listen for breath sounds • Look for movements in their stomach or chest • Feel for breath on your cheek • Do this for 10 seconds • If there is no change, proceed to step 5

Step 5: Mouth • Check inside the casualty’s mouth for food, vomit or any foreign objects • If you are a medical professional you may use an aspirational pump to remove the object and clear the airway • Using a torch may assist your inspection

Step 6: Ring 999 • Ask your standby to ring for an ambulance. • Tell them we have an unconscious casualty not breathing. • Provide the address • If there is no one else available ring for an ambulance yourself and put it on loud speaker

Step 7: Start CPR • Kneel next to the casualty • Expose the area of the chest • Place the palm of your hand onto the middle of their chest and interlock your fingers • Keep your elbows locked!-pivot from your waist using your body weight rather than upper arms • Press down about 5 -6 cm • Aim for 2 compressions per second

Step 8: Rescue Breaths • The rescue breaths are optional in a first aid setting • To do rescue breaths, place your hand on their forehead and gently tilt their head back • Now place two fingers under their chin to hold their head in this position • Remove your hand from their forehead and pinch their nostrils • This allows maximum air entry to the lungs

Step 8: continued • Form a seal around their mouth with your own mouth and blow for 1 second. • Rest 1 second • Provide another rescue breath • Watch their chest each time- it should rise • If you would prefer or cannot give rescue breaths, continue with chest compressions. • In a hospital setting, a rebreathing mask is used to replace the rescue breaths. This is attached to oxygen.

Step 9: 30: 2 • Once rescue breaths are given go back to 30 compressions • Continue this process 30 chest compression to 2 breaths • Do not stop until someone relieves you, the ambulance arrives and takes over, your standby brings you a defibrillator or you physically cannot do anymore.

Extra: Defib • A defibrillator may be used if one is available • They come with instructions that the machine talks you through • Expose the area – scissors to remove clothing is available • You may need to shave the areas where the pads are goingdisposable razors are provided • Remove any metal or piercings the casualty may have on

Extra: defib • Apply the pads as soon as you confirm your casualty is not breathing • The defib will assess if a shock is applicable or not – if not, continue CPR • It will tell you whether to continue with CPR or not after shocking.