What would you do
if you had to save a life? Would you know where to
begin?
According to
doctors, sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in
America. After the human heart stops functioning, the
brain can only survive for up to four minutes without
oxygen. Unfortunately, it can take 6-10 minutes for EMS
to respond. This is a prime example of
why learning CPR and how to use an AED is
important. During that time, performing CPR correctly will help
oxygenated blood flow to the victim's heart and brain. This greatly increases the victim's chance for survival. Almost anyone can
learn CPR, so it has proven to be a very valuable, lifesaving
technique.
Let's get
started and let's begin with the CPR basics!
CPR Basics
When we breathe air, it goes into our lungs. Our
blood receives oxygen which is pumped into our tissues and organs
by the heart. During cardiac arrest, the heart changes from its normal
beating pattern to an arrhythmic pattern. This unusual pattern is referred to as
ventricular fibrillation and the heart eventually stops beating.
When this happens
to the human heart, oxygen cannot circulate through the body and this
quickly kills cells and tissues. Fortunately, Cardio (heart)
Pulmonary (lung) Resuscitation (revive or revitalize)
helps the victim because it serves as an artificial heartbeat and
respirator until the heart
either starts beating normally on its own or medical
help arrives.
Performing CPR
properly doesn't always save the victim. However, if it is started
within four minutes of cardiac arrest and if defibrillation begins within
ten minutes, it is estimated that the victim has a 40% chance of surviving the traumatic events.
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CPR was developed in the 1960's to allow almost
anyone to sustain life during the critical, first minutes of cardiac
arrest. This lifesaving technique gives oxygenated blood to
the victim's heart and brain, so the vital organs stay alive until
EMS
arrives.
In order
to remember the CPR system, an acronym was developed that makes remembering it easy (as simple as
knowing your A, B, Cs!)
- Airway
- Breathing
- Circulation
Before teaching you the application of these
A, B, Cs, we'll begin by emphasizing the first step of Basic Life
Support (BLS).
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Basic Life Support
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Remember to call 911! It may be the most important
thing you can do to save a life!
When someone else
is present (e.g. someone who doesn't know CPR),
ask them to call 911 immediately. If nobody else is
present and you and the victim are alone, try calling for help
before
starting CPR on an adult or after one minute on a
child. In an
emergency, it's important to know what to do and what not to do. Here are some things
that you should never do.
Do not . .
.
- Leave the victim.
- Try to make the victim drink
water.
- Throw water on the victim's face.
- Have the victim sit up.
- Try to revive the victim by slapping his face.
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After you dial 911, provide the operator with:
1. Your location (e.g. street
name, city, etc.)
2. Your telephone number (e.g.
cell
phone or home phone)
3. The type
of emergency (e.g. what you witnessed,
what is happening, etc.)
4. The
victim's current condition
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Always remember to think clearly and
use your best judgment!
During an emergency, some
people act inappropriately or even put themselves in danger.
After you determine the scene is safe, approach the victim and be
prepared to administer CPR. Please don't forget to check for
potential danger that could effect you and the
victim!
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AIRWAY
The letter
"A" stands for AIRWAY. When a victim is
unconscious and unresponsive, check his airway to make sure there
are no obstructions. The victim's breaths might be faint and
shallow, so be careful when you look, listen, and
feel for his breathing. If
you find the victim has stopped breathing, he might have an
airway obstruction. The tongue is the most common airway obstruction, but many
other things can obstruct the airway too.
While the victim is
lying on his back, gently tilt his head backwards. You
can do this by putting one hand on his forehead and the other hand
under his chin. This position causes the tongue to move and clear the airway. However, if
the victim still isn't breathing, you'll need to help him breathe.
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Tilt the head and open the
victim's airway.
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BREATHING
The letter
"B"
is for BREATHING. After clearing the victim's airway,
keep the victim's head titled back and pinch his nose. This
will prevent air from escaping as you place your mouth over the
victim's and begin ventilating.
Watch the victim's chest as you give him air.
Avoid overinflating his lungs as this will force air into his stomach,
which could result in
vomiting. If the victim vomits, simply turn his head to one
side and carefully use your finger to sweep any new obstructions away before
continuing.
At this time, you
need to give the victim two full breaths. After each breath,
give his lungs time to exhale
and relax. If you put your ear near his mouth and listen, you may
hear air escaping. While you do this, watch the victim's chest and it
should fall as his body exhales.
After these
breaths, if the victim does not become responsive (e.g. if there is no breathing, moving, coughing, etc.), then you
need to check his circulation.
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Give two breaths and let the victim
exhale. |
CIRCULATION
The letter
"C"in the A-B-C acronym is
for CIRCULATION. Check and see if the victim's heart is beating by
locating the carotid artery. Use two fingers and put them on
the victim's neck like it shows in the picture to the right.
Find the middle of the neck (where the Adam's Apple is located on
men) and slide your fingers to the side of the his neck and feel for
a pulse.
If the victim has
no pulse, it means his heart is not beating. This is when you should perform chest compressions.
Please continue to the next section.
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CHEST COMPRESSIONS
When you
perform chest compressions, make sure your hands
are in the right place. See the picture on the
right. You'll need to place two fingers on the sternum (where the
lower ribs come together) and put the lower palm of your hand next to
your fingers.
At this time,
you must put one hand on top of the other (as shown in the
moving graphic to the right). Keep your arms straight
and use the weight of your body to compress the victim's
chest. These compressions should be about 1.5 to 2
inches
deep. Remember the saying, "2 hands, 2 inches" for adults and "1 hand, 1 inch" for
children. Don't worry too much if you hear cracking sounds, but be
careful not to push too hard. It's common for cartilage to break
during CPR, but this consequence is far more desirable than
a lost life! Continue chest compressions and take a little
of the pressure off.
As you
compress the victim's chest approximately 30 times (at the
rate of about 3 compressions every 2 seconds), could the
compressions out loud. This will help you to remember
how many you have given and it will help you get into a good
rhythm. Finish by giving the victim 2 breaths of
air. Perform the process of 30 compressions and 2
breaths four times. When you're done, check the victim's
pulse to see if he is conscious. If the victim still has
no pulse, then continue this procedure until help
arrives.
When you feel
a pulse, you know the victim's heart is beating.
However, if he still isn't breathing, then you must administer
rescue breaths. Give the victim one rescue breath every
5 seconds, but don't forget to pinch the nose, so air doesn't escape.
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Locate the sternum, use proper hand
placement, and use two hands and two
inches.
Give chest compressions to the
victim. |
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Review
During an emergency, you may
be the victim's only chance for survival. Remember
that you can increase his chance for survival by 40%
if you effectively perform CPR (Cardio Pulmonary
Resuscitation).
1. See if the
victim is responsive by shaking the him and speaking to
him. Call him by name if you know his name and even
shout to see if he will respond. Never move the victim
or shake him if there is a chance he has suffered a
spinal cord or neck injury.
2. Call 911.
3. Remember
your A, B, Cs!
-
Airway: Clear the victim's airway by tilting his head back and lifting his
neck.
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Breathing: Pinch the victim's nose
and give him 2 breaths
of air. Look at his chest to see if it rises with each
breath.
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Circulation: If the victim still
has no pulse, then administer 15 chest compressions - remember 2 hands, 2 inches for adults
and 1 hand, 1 inch for children.
4. Check the
victim for a pulse. If there isn't one, then perform the
cycle again until help comes.
Infant CPR
Here are the steps for giving CPR to an infant.
1. Shout and Tap
Shout and gently tap the child on the shoulder. If there is no
response, position the infant on his or her back.
2. Open the Airway
Open the airway using a head tilt, lifting the chin. Do not tilt the
head too far back.
3. Give 2 Gentle Breaths
If the baby is NOT breathing give 2 small, gentle breaths. Cover
the baby's mouth and nose with your mouth. Each breath should be 1
second long. You should see the baby's chest rise with each
breath.
4. Give 30 Chest Compressions
Give
30 gentle chest compressions at the rate of 100 per minute. Use
two or three fingers in the center of the chest, just below the nipples.
Press down approximately one third the depth of the
victim's
chest.
5. Repeat
Repeat
with 2 breaths and 30 compressions. After two minutes of
repeated cycles, call 911 and continue giving breaths and
chest compressions.
CPR Videos
We have two free CPR videos that you
can view.
Click here for
our infant video and
click here for our adult video. Both videos are
approximately 1 minute long and they will open in a new window and this
CPR course will remain under it.
Using an AED
When appropriate,
ask someone to call 911 and look around the victim's area for an AED
(Automated External Defibrillator) like the one above. If you cannot locate an AED, begin CPR.
Employees in public areas like bus terminals and airports should
be able to give instructions and contact emergency response
units who can help give CPR and defibrillate the victim.
In order to
use an AED, follow these steps:
1. Turn on the AED unit. Depending on the type of AED you may have
to push the on button or pull a handle to start the device.
2. The AED will give you voice or text prompts. Listen to them (or
read them) and follow
them.
3. Whether the victim is male or female, you must remove all
clothing from their arms, abdomen and chest.
4. Peel off the pads and place them precisely as shown. Accuracy and
speed are both very important.
5. The AED should analyze the victim's heart rhythm. However, you
may have to push a button for it to begin. Do not touch the victim
during this procedure.
6. Push the button when the AED prompts you to shock the victim.
When you administer the shock, make sure nobody is touching the
victim. Furthermore, he or she must be dry (a little sweat is fine)
and must not be touching any metal. If the victim has a pacemaker
device, avoid placing the shock pads on it.
7. The AED will shock up to three times. Typically, just one shock
is needed. Some AED units will shock only once on the greatest shock
setting, then they will prompt you to administer two minutes of CPR
to the victim.
8. When a victim has no pulse, defibrillation may be inadvisable.
When the AED does not recommend a shock, check the victim's pulse.
If there is no pulse, then continue administering CPR.
Note:
If the victim is on a metal surface and cannot be moved, you may
place a mat under him or her before using an AED.
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Quiz
Congratulations!
You've finished our online CPR and AED course. The following quiz will
help you recall the most important concepts in this course. Please
write
your answers on a piece of paper, so you can check them against
the answers on the next page. Good luck!
1. Check the victim's responsiveness by:
A. Looking at their hands
B. Propping up their head
C.
Shaking them and saying, "Are you okay?"
D. All of the above
2. If the victim stays unresponsive, you need to:
A. Look through their wallet for ID
B. Begin CPR, then call
911
C. Call 911 before you begin CPR
D. None of the above
3. Check the victim's breathing by:
A. Feeling for exhaled air
B. Watching for their chest to
rise and fall
C. Listening closely for exhaled air
D. All
of the above
4. ___________ is the most typical
airway obstruction.
A. The teeth
B. The tongue
C.
Food
D. None of the above
5. In order to clear the victim's airway:
A. Lift up the chin and tilt the head back
B. Lift the
victim's chin and turn their head to the side
C. Push down the
chin and do not touch the victim's head
D. None of the above
6. The best place to feel for the victim's pulse is at
the:
A. Chest
B. Back of the hand
C. Carotid artery
D. The forehead
7. When you help the victim breathe:
A. Pinch the victim's nose closed, so air does not escape
B. Feed the victim first
C. Make sure their feet are above
their head
D. All of the above
8. When you give chest
compressions:
A. Put your hands on the victim's sternum
B.
Apply the "1 hand, 1 inch" rule for children
C. Apply the "2
hands, 2 inches" rule for adults
D. All of the above
9. Never place an AED on:
A. A wet victim
B. A victim who's touching metal
C. A pacemaker
D. All of the above
10. Defibrillators should shock the
victim:
A. 10 times
B. 100 times
C. 1-3 times
D. 50 times
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Click here to see how you did and get your certification card!
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