SECTION 6

CARDIO-PULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR)

Always commence with:

                     DANGER

                     RESPONSE

                     AIRWAY

                     BREATHING (no breathing, give 5 breaths in 10 seconds)

                     CIRCULATION (no pulse, commence CPR immediately).

Remember, chest compressions on a beating heart, which are not needed, may cause harm.  Always check for a pulse for up to 10 seconds.

CPR for Adults 9 years plus (One or two Operators)

For chest compressions to be effective there are some important points to keep in mind:

·         the casualty should be lying flat on a firm surface

·         kneel beside the casualty directly opposite their shoulder

·         position your hands into the middle of the lower half of the sternum

·         Only the heel on one hand should have contact with the chest, fingers parallel with the ribs and up off the rib cage. The other hand supports the first hand which is in contact with the chest

·         depress the sternum 1/3 of the casualtys depth of chest, keeping compressions very smooth and rhythmical

·         compress the chest 15 times, then provide 2 effective breaths

·         repeat this sequence 4 times in a minute

·         at the end of the first minute check the pulse and breathing

·         if no change continue as above for two (2) minute blocks.

CPR for Children (1-8years) and Infants (0-1year)

CPR for infants and children is exactly the same whether one (1) or two (2) operators, however you must take into consideration the following :

for children:

·         breaths should be enough to make the chest rise

·         compressions are still at 1/3 of the depth of chest

·         compressions are conducted with one (1) hand only

·         partial head tilt with jaw support

for infants:

·         support the jaw without tilting the head

·         compressions are still at 1/3 of the depth of the chest

·         compressions are conducted with two (2) fingers on the lower half of the sternum

·         use PUFFS of air instead of breaths

When to cease performing CPR

Once you commence CPR it is necessary to continue to ensure you circulate oxygenated blood around the body. You do not stop resuscitation unless one of the following occurs:

·         someone else arrives at the scene and takes over CPR for you

·         the ambulance arrives

·         the casualty responds

·         the area becomes dangerous and it is not safe to continue

·         you are unable to continue because of exhaustion.

Basic Life Support Flow Chart

COLLAPSE

CHECK RESPONSE TO TOUCH & TALK

CONSCIOUS                                                UNCONSCIOUS

Make comfortable                                            Place casualty in lateral position

Do not move                                                                                                   

Check vital signs          Airway                                                      Clear airway

                             Breathing                          Turn chin slightly downward

                             Circulation                          Open airway with head tilt

                                                                   CHECK BREATHING

BREATHING                                                 NOT BREATHING

Leave casualty in                                             Roll casualty onto back

lateral posit                                          Apply head tilt, jaw support (as

                                                                   required)

Observe        Airway                                        Give: 5 full breaths in 10 seconds

                   Breathing                                                                                      

                   Circulation                                                                                     

                                                                   CHECK PULSE

PULSE PRESENT                                           PULSE ABSENT

Continue EAR                                                  CPR

                                                                   (1 Operator)

15 breaths per minute - adult                                       15 x 2 x 4 cycles for adult

20 breaths per minute <8 years                         5 x 1 x 12 cycles for child <8 years

                                                                   (2 Operators)

                                                                   5 x 1 x 12 cycles for adult

                                                                   5 x 1 x  12 cycles for child <8 years

Check pulse and breathing after 1              Check breathing and pulse after 1

minute and then at least every                 minute and then at least every

2 minutes.                                            2 minutes.

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LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS :: EMERGENCY PROCEDURE AT AN ACCIDENT :: CAUSES OF UNCONSCIOUSNESS :: BREATHING ASSESSMENT :: BREATHING DIFFICULTIES :: CARDIO-PULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR) :: CARDIAC EMERGENCIES :: SHOCK :: BLEEDING :: FACIAL & MINOR WOUNDS :: BURNS :: OVEREXPOSURE TO THE HEAT AND COLD :: SPRAINS & STRAINS :: FRACTURES :: POISONS, BITES & STINGS