Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is the act of administering chest compressions and breaths for a person that is not breathing or does not have a heartbeat. CPR must only be used in the event of an emergency and can only be performed for a limited amount of time before more urgent medical care is needed. To truly learn CPR, enroll in a certification course. CPR guidelines are always changing and the course will keep you up-to-date on the latest requirements.
CPR Technique
There are different techniques to administering CPR depending on whether the victim is a child or an adult. When coming upon an unconscious adult, always check to make sure it is safe to approach him. Try to rouse her. If he is unresponsive, immediately tell someone to find help or call 911. If you are alone, call 911 before taking any other action.
Check for any breathing or heart pumps. You can do this by listening on her chest for heartbeats or by taking a pulse. Look for the rise and fall of is chest for breathing or place your hand in front of his nose and mouth to feel for air. If there is no activity, you will have to begin CPR.
Remembering the ABCs of CPR can be useful. A=airway. Always lean the head back and check to see if something is blocking the airway of the victim's throat. Administer a careful finger sweep if you can see an item within the throat.
B=breathing. If the airway is clear, administer rescue breathing. You must always begin the breathing before you start the chest compressions. If you are forcing circulation with no oxygen in it, you are only wasting time. Position the head back with the mouth and throat as open as possible. Pinch the nose and cover his mouth with yours to prevent any escaping air. Give two full breaths, enough to lift the chest. Then you can begin compression.
C=circulation. Heavy chest compressions will restore the circulation and get the oxygen you just supplied to the victim moving throughout his body. After two rescue breaths, administer 30 chest compressions. Keep your elbows locked. Position your weak hand directly over the sternum and place your strong hand over and intertwined with your weak hand. Rock forward and press your hands vertically down on the victim's chest, depressing the sternum by 1 ½ to 2 inches. Repeat 30 times and begin the two rescue breaths again. Continue until you are relieved by medical professional.
Tips for Child CPR
CPR for a child is similar to the procedure for an adult. However, there are some differences. When coming upon an unconscious child, check the vital signs as before. If you are alone with an unconscious child in need of CPR, administer 5 cycles or about 2 minutes of CPR before calling for help. Be gentler in your breaths and chest compression. Only use one hand during chest compressions. Continue the cycle until you are relieved by medical personnel.
Tags: chest compressions, coming upon, coming upon unconscious, head back, place your, relieved medical, rescue breaths