Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation - First Aid and Emergency Treatment Guide

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Medindia » First Aid » First Aid-Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation - First Aid and Emergency Treatment Guide

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Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

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   About Cardiac Arrest
   What is CPR?
   VITAL STEPS
   Mouth breathing
   Restore circulation
   Prognosis
   Caution
   CPR training

About Cardiac Arrest

Often caused by abnormal heart rhythm
This aberrant rhythm is ventricular fibrillation (VF)
During VF heart stops pumping blood
Patient may stop breathing
No pulse may be detected
A shock to the heart, called defibrillation, required
Defibrillation stops VF, restores heart function

What is CPR?

Emergency life-saving measure
Combination of rescue breathing & chest compressions
Done on unconscious/ non-breathing patient
Done on persons suffering cardiac arrest
Also for near-drowning/ asphyxiation/ trauma cases
CPR conducts defibrillation
Supports heart pumping for short duration
Allows oxygen to reach brain
Buys time till help arrives
More effective when done as early as possible

THE VITAL STEPS Clear the airway

Assess if the person is conscious / breathing
Lay the person on his back on a hard surface
Using a head tilt -chin lift open his airway
Check for breathing sound
If not breathing, start mouth-to-mouth breathing

Mouth- to-mouth breathing

Pinch the person's nostril shut
Seal his mouth with your own
Give the first breath, lasting one second
Watch if chest rises
If it rises, give second rescue breath
If it does not rise, give a head tilt- chin lift
Now give second rescue breath

Restore circulation through compression

Place heel of your palm on patient's chest
Place your other hand above first
Keep elbows straight
Push down using upper body weight (compress)
Push hard and fast
After 30 compressions, clear airway
Give two rescue breaths
This is one cycle
Give 100 compressions /minute
Continue CPR till medical help arrives

CPR for children (under 8 yrs/ infant)

Procedure almost same as for adult
Following details should be incorporated
20 breaths/min should be delivered
100 compressions/minute should be given
Chest compressions - given with one hand

Prognosis

If done well, CPR saves life
Normalcy is restored in rescued person
CPR can also be ineffective, causing death
In some cases, causes injuries / damages

Caution

Ribs/heart/lungs/ liver may be injured
After CPR, medical attention should be given

CPR training

CPR - practical skill acquired through training
Professional training/ regular practice mandatory
CPR not confined to medical professionals
Community organizations, like Red Cross, conduct training

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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY(ICE)-Life Saving Measures

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Member Comments ( 10 )

thanks for such a huge helpful information
(Posted by samrendra, India Date : 1/9/2013 )

thanks for creating awareness about CPR/BLS, among common people.The AHA- guide line 2010, simplifies CPR for lay man as chest compression CPR as the bystander may not be trained enough to clear or open the airway by head tilt & chin lift; so it is better to provide (if rescuer is alone)- 30 effective chest compression( hard & fast) in the middle of sternum( breast bone)in adult , child & infant. then only open the airway to provide 2 - rescue breaths.Remember CAB( C= chest compression, A= open the Airway, B = provide Rescue breaths)
(Posted by putul, India Date : 3/10/2012 )

XD awesome web site!Helped me on ma S.ST. project
(Posted by Priyam_Punk, India Date : 10/11/2011 )

this is vry good wesite please advertise this website many people wil thank youu

(Posted by chirag.jain, India Date : 10/4/2011 )

Can people without proper CPR practical training give chest compression in an emergency until proper help arrives?
(Posted by Madhu_, United States Date : 9/3/2011 )

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