What Is CPR?
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a life-saving technique used to revive a person who has stopped breathing or whose heart has stopped. The purpose of CPR is to maintain blood flow to the vital organs until medical assistance arrives. CPR involves chest compressions and rescue breaths to help the person breathe and restore the heartbeat. Learn more about why you should learn CPR by following this link.
Proper CPR training is essential to perform this life-saving technique effectively. Consider taking a first aid course or enrolling in CPR training by organisations such as First Aid Pro or the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC). With proper CPR training, you can help save someone’s life in an emergency situation.
How To Determine If CPR Is Necessary
To determine if CPR is necessary, check for responsiveness and breathing. CPR is required immediately if the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Call triple zero (000) for medical assistance while starting CPR.
Chest Compressions
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving technique to restore blood circulation and breathing in an unresponsive person. During CPR, the rescuer uses their hands to apply pressure to the person’s chest, compressing the heart between the breastbone and the spine.
The pressure applied during chest compressions helps to circulate blood and deliver oxygen to the person’s vital organs. To perform chest compressions, the rescuer places the heel of one hand in the centre of the person’s chest, on the lower half of the breastbone, and the other hand on top. With their arms straight and shoulders directly above their hands, the rescuer presses down firmly and quickly, aiming for a depth of approximately two inches.
After each compression, the rescuer allows the chest to recoil fully before beginning the next compression. The process is repeated at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute until the person starts breathing normally or medical assistance arrives. According to the latest guidelines from the Australian Resuscitation Council, the recommended ratio for performing CPR is 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths. Chest compressions are a vital component of CPR and can help to increase the person’s chance of survival during a cardiac arrest.
Rescue Breaths
Rescue breaths in CPR are a critical component of the life-saving technique that is used to help restore breathing in an unresponsive person. Rescue breaths are sometimes referred to as mouth-to-mouth. When a person is not breathing normally or has stopped breathing altogether, rescue breaths are given to help oxygenate their lungs and bloodstream.
To perform rescue breaths, the rescuer first opens the person’s airway by tilting their head back and lifting their chin. Then, the rescuer pinches the person’s nose closed and blows steadily into their mouth. The air blown into the person’s lungs causes their chest to rise and fall, indicating that the airway is open and the lungs receive oxygen.
The process is repeated until the person starts breathing normally or medical assistance arrives. By providing oxygen to the person’s lungs and bloodstream, rescue breaths help to prevent brain damage and other complications that can occur when the body is deprived of oxygen. When performed in conjunction with chest compressions, rescue breaths can help to increase the person’s chance of survival during a cardiac arrest.
Using An Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronic device used to analyse a person’s heart rhythm and deliver an electric shock to restore a normal heartbeat. AEDs are designed to be used by non-medical personnel in emergency situations, such as sudden cardiac arrest, to improve a person’s chance of survival. AEDs are equipped with voice prompts and visual instructions that guide the user through the device’s steps.
To use an AED, attach the pads to the person’s bare chest, and the AED will analyse the heart rhythm and determine if a shock is needed. If a shock is required, the AED will prompt the user to press a button to deliver the shock. It is important to note that an AED should only be used on someone unresponsive and not breathing normally. CPR should be performed in conjunction with an AED until medical assistance arrives. AEDs are becoming increasingly common in public places, workplaces, and schools, and learning how to use one can be an important first aid skill. You can learn more about AEDs and CPR in a first aid training course.
How To Do CPR Australia?
Below are some important basic instructions on how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR on a range of different ages which is backed by the Australian Resuscitation Council. If you want to read more detailed instructions for how to do Cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR and get more information about first aid training options, click the link provided.
How To Perform CPR On Different Age Groups?
Babies Under 1 Year
CPR on a baby under 1 year of age requires a slightly different technique than on an adult or an older child.
Here Are The Steps For Performing CPR On A Baby:
- Check for responsiveness: Gently tap the baby and shout their name to see if they respond. If the baby is unresponsive, proceed to the next step.
- Call for help: Shout for someone to call emergency services or call triple zero (000) yourself if you’re alone.
- Open the airway: Place the baby on a firm surface and tilt their head back by gently lifting their chin with one hand while pressing down on their forehead with the other hand.
- Check for breathing: Look, listen and feel for normal breathing for up to 10 seconds. If the baby is not breathing or breathing abnormally, proceed to the next step.
- Perform rescue breaths/mouth-to-mouth: Seal your mouth over the baby’s mouth and nose and blow steadily for one second to make the chest rise. Repeat for two breaths ensuring the child’s mouth and nose are fully covered.
- Perform chest compressions: With the baby lying on their back, locate the centre of their chest and place two fingers below the nipple line. Press down firmly and quickly to a depth of approximately 1.5 inches, then allow the chest to recoil fully before beginning the next compression. Repeat 30 chest compressions.
- Repeat the cycle: Repeat the cycle of two breaths and 30 compressions until the ambulance arrives or the baby starts breathing normally.
Children Over 1 Year
Performing CPR on a child over 1 year of age requires a different technique than performing CPR on a baby or an adult. Here are the steps for performing CPR on a child:
- Check for responsiveness: Gently tap the child and shout their name to see if they respond. If the child is unresponsive, proceed to the next step.
- Call for help: Shout for someone to call emergency services or call triple zero (000) yourself if you’re alone.
- Open the airway: Place the child on a firm surface and tilt their head back by gently lifting their chin with one hand while pressing down on their forehead with the other.
- Check for breathing: Look, listen and feel for normal breathing for up to 10 seconds. If the child is not breathing or breathing abnormally, proceed to the next step.
- Perform rescue breaths or mouth-to-mouth: Pinch the child’s nose closed with your thumb and index finger and seal your mouth over the child’s mouth, blowing steadily for one second to make the chest rise. Repeat for a total of two breaths.
- Perform chest compressions: With the child lying on their back, locate the centre of the child’s chest and place the heel of one hand on the breastbone just below the nipple line. Straighten your arm and position yourself over the child’s chest. Press down vertically on the chest using the weight of your body, applying pressure to a depth of approximately one-third of the chest.
- Press down firmly and quickly to a depth of approximately 5cm, then allow the chest to recoil fully before beginning the next compression. Repeat 30 compressions.
- Repeat the cycle: Repeat the cycle of two breaths and 30 compressions until the ambulance arrives or the child starts breathing normally.
Adults & Older Children
Performing CPR on adults and older children follows the same basic steps as performing CPR on a child over 1 year of age. Here’s how to perform CPR on adults and older children:
- Check for responsiveness: Gently tap the person and shout their name to see if they respond. If the person is unresponsive, proceed to the next step.
- Call for help: Shout for someone to call emergency services or call triple zero (000) yourself if you’re alone.
- Open the airway: Place the person on a firm surface and tilt their head back by gently lifting their chin with one hand while pressing down on their forehead with the other.
- Check for breathing: Look, listen, and feel for normal breathing for up to 10 seconds. If the person is not breathing or breathing abnormally, proceed to the next step.
- Perform rescue breaths: Pinch the person’s nose closed and seal your mouth over their mouth, blowing steadily for one second to make the chest rise. Repeat for a total of two breaths.
- Perform chest compressions: With the person lying on their back, locate the centre of their chest and place the heel of one hand on the breastbone just below the nipple line. Place the other hand on the first hand and interlock your fingers. Press down firmly and quickly to a depth of approximately 2 inches, then allow the chest to recoil fully before beginning the next compression. Repeat 30 compressions.
- Use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) if available: If an AED is available, follow the instructions provided with the device.
- Repeat the cycle: Repeat the cycle of two breaths and 30 compressions until the ambulance arrives or the person starts breathing normally.
It’s important to note that performing CPR on a baby, child or adult requires proper training in CPR techniques, which can be obtained through a first aid course or proper CPR training.
What Does DRSABCD Stand For?
DRSABCD is an acronym for the basic steps to follow when performing first aid in an emergency. It’s a simple but effective way to remember the critical steps when someone needs immediate assistance. Here’s what each letter stands for:
D – Danger: Check for potential dangers to yourself, the injured person, and any bystanders. If there’s any danger, move to a safe location before proceeding.
R – Response: Check for a response from the person by tapping their shoulder and shouting their name. If there’s no response, call for help immediately.
S – Send for help: Call triple zero (000) or ask someone else to call if you cannot.
A – Airway: Open the person’s airway by tilting their head back and lifting their chin while in recovery position. Check for any obstructions in their mouth or throat.
B – Breathing: Check for breathing by looking, listening, and feeling for signs of normal breathing. If there’s no breathing, start CPR.
C – CPR: Perform CPR with a ratio of 30 chest compressions to two rescue breaths (mouth to mouth). If an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is available, use it immediately.
D – Defibrillation: Use an AED as soon as possible if one is available.
Remembering and following the steps of DRSABCD can be crucial in an emergency and may help save someone’s life.
