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Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation - First Aid and Emergency Treatment Guide

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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

What is New in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

CPR 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
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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
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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
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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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