Getting out and about is a lot of fun, especially if you can get out in the warm sun after being cooped up indoors. While this is normally an entirely positive experience, sometimes medical emergencies can happen. These are more common in hot weather. In these cases, knowing how to perform CPR could save someone’s life.
WHAT IS CPR?
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency medical technique that uses a combination of chest compressions and rescue breathing to help save a person’s life during a cardiac or breathing emergency. CPR aims to maintain blood and oxygen flow to the brain and other vital organs while awaiting further medical intervention that can restart spontaneous cardiovascular activity.
Although CPR alone is not sufficient treatment to save someone experiencing a cardiac or breathing emergency, it can make a big difference in the harm caused by the event. It can be the difference between life and death. Therefore, it is a good idea for every adult to know how to administer CPR and respond to a medical emergency.
BEFORE YOU GIVE CPR
Before you begin to administer CPR, it is important to ensure that the person needs resuscitation and that medical assistance is on the way. These are the key steps everyone should follow after identifying a medical emergency that may require CPR:
1. Check on the Person: Sometimes, people look unresponsive but are not in immediate medical danger. Start by firmly tapping the person on the shoulder. Loudly ask, “are you okay?” If they do not respond to either of these efforts, they likely need medical attention.
2. Call 911: Getting emergency medical services on the way as soon as possible should be your top priority. Either call 911 if you are alone or instruct someone else to call. Avoid generally suggesting that someone call for help. Instead, select a specific bystander and tell them to make the call.
3. Get an AED: If someone else is with you, tell them to look for an automated external defibrillator. These are usually in clearly marked boxes and come with clear, simple instructions. Do not leave the patient to find an AED. Send a bystander instead.
4. Open the Airway: Next, open the airway by tilting the head back. If the person is not lying on their back, gently move them to that position. Tilt the head back slightly to lift the chin.
5. Check for Breathing: Before starting CPR, check whether the person is breathing by listening closely. Gasping or occasional sounds may happen without regular breathing. If you cannot detect breathing (including shallow but consistent breathing) within 10 seconds, start CPR.
STEPS FOR GIVING CPR
CPR is performed as a cycle of two major steps. This should be continued until the person exhibits signs of life, including breathing, an AED arrives, or trained medical responders arrive to take over the situation (typically EMS coming from a 911 call). These are the two steps of CPR:
1. Chest Compressions: Place one hand on top of the other in the center of the chest. Using your body weight, compress the chest at least two inches at a rate of between 100 and 120 compressions per minute. This is roughly equivalent to a rate of 1.5 to two compressions per second. It can require significant force to achieve effective compressions. Continue for 30 compressions before moving on to rescue breaths.
2. Rescue Breaths: With the person’s head tilted back and the chin raised slightly, pinch the nose and cover the person’s mouth with your own, creating a seal. Blow into the mouth while paying attention to the chest. If the chest does not rise with the first breath, re-tilt the head before the second breath. If the second breath does not cause the chest to rise, the person may be choking. Check for obstructions before continuing. Deliver two rescue breaths, then resume chest compressions.
If an AED is found, follow the instructions carefully. Nearly all AEDs are designed with audio instructions and clear, visual depictions of the usage steps. During the process, the AED may call for continued CPR in between delivering defibrillating shocks.
You should cease CPR if the scene becomes unsafe or you may otherwise be in danger by continuing to administer it (such as from exhaustion). CPR is an effective technique, but you should not worsen the situation by exposing yourself to danger.
It is a good idea to get complete in-person training on CPR and first aid. Whether you are at home, in the workplace, or out and about, knowing what to do in an emergency could save a life.
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