How to Administer CPR – Guidelines & Steps. Picture this: you’re at a park enjoying a sunny day with your friends or family, when suddenly someone collapses in front of you, clutching their chest. Panic sets in. What would you do? This is where knowing how to administer CPR can truly be a lifesaver.
CPR is a simple yet powerful technique that can help restart a person’s heart and restore their breathing, buying precious time until professional medical help arrives. It’s not just for healthcare professionals – anyone can learn it!
In this blog, we’ll dive into the importance of knowing how to administer CPR and break down the step-by-step process, so you can be prepared to take action in a life-threatening situation.
Let’s get started!
What Is CPR And Why It Is Important?
CPR, or Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a first-aid technique that can be used to save the life of someone who has experienced cardiac arrest, drowning, suffocation, or any other condition that causes the heart to stop beating.
During CPR, the rescuer performs a series of chest compressions and rescue breaths to help circulate oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. This can help maintain the vital functions of the brain and heart until professional medical help arrives.
CPR is important because it can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. When someone’s heart stops beating, every second counts. According to the American Heart Association, CPR can double or even triple a person’s chances of survival.
Not only is CPR important for healthcare professionals, but also for anyone who may find themselves in a situation where they need to help someone in need. Learning CPR can give you the confidence and skills to act quickly and potentially save a life.
Seven Steps Of CPR
The seven steps of CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) are a standardized procedure that is taught in CPR courses. These steps are designed to be followed in order to provide the best chance of saving a person’s life. The seven steps are:
Check The Scene And The Person
The first step in CPR is to assess the scene and make sure it is safe to approach the person. Then, check the person’s responsiveness by tapping their shoulder and shouting, “Are you okay?”
Call For Help
If the person is unresponsive or not breathing normally, call for emergency medical services (EMS) or 911 immediately.
Open The Airway
Gently tilt the person’s head back and lift their chin to open their airway.
Check For Breathing
Check for breathing by looking for chest movement, listening for breath sounds, and feeling for breath on your cheek. If the person is not breathing or only gasping, start CPR.
Deliver Chest Compressions
Place the heel of one hand on the center of the person’s chest, between the nipples. Place the other hand on top of the first hand and interlock your fingers. Lean over the person and compress their chest about 2 inches deep at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
Give Rescue Breaths
Pinch the person’s nose shut and give two rescue breaths into their mouth. Each breath should last about one second and make the person’s chest rise.
Repeat Chest Compressions And Rescue Breaths
Continue giving cycles of 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths until help arrives or the person starts to breathe normally.
Following these seven steps can help give a person the best chance of surviving a cardiac arrest or other life-threatening event.
The Golden Rule Of CPR
If you encounter a person who is unresponsive and not breathing normally, you should call for emergency medical services (EMS) or 911 immediately and then begin performing CPR. Time is of the essence in a cardiac arrest situation, so it’s important to act quickly.
It’s important to note that starting CPR as soon as possible can greatly increase the person’s chances of survival. For every minute that passes without CPR, the person’s chances of survival decrease by 7-10%. Therefore, if you are alone, start CPR for about 2 minutes before calling for help, if possible.
Performing CPR can help keep a person’s blood circulating until emergency medical help arrives. However, CPR is not a substitute for professional medical care. Even if a person’s heart is restarted through CPR, they still need to receive medical attention to address the underlying cause of their cardiac arrest.
Even if you are not sure if CPR is necessary, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and call for help. The operator on the other end of the phone can help guide you through the steps of performing CPR while you wait for the ambulance to arrive.
Remember, the most important thing you can do in a CPR emergency is to take action quickly. Don’t hesitate to call for help and start performing CPR if necessary.
Why Is It Important To Get Certified In CPR?
It is important to get certified in CPR because it can provide you with the knowledge and skills to save a life in an emergency situation. By completing a CPR course, you can learn how to recognize the signs of cardiac arrest or other life-threatening emergencies, how to perform CPR, and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
Additionally, CPR certification is often required for certain professions, such as healthcare workers, lifeguards, and first responders. However, anyone can benefit from learning CPR, as it can give you the confidence and skills to act quickly and potentially save a life.
If you are looking to take a first aid course, consider First Aid Courses Perth. Out courses are designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills to confidently respond to an emergency situation. We offer a variety of courses, including CPR, First Aid, and Advanced First Aid, and our instructors are experienced and highly qualified.
In addition to quality training, First Aid Courses Perth offers flexible scheduling, competitive pricing, and convenient location options. By choosing to take a first aid course with us, you can feel confident that you are getting the best training available and are prepared to handle any emergency situation that may arise.
Book a first aid course today.
