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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!)
Before teaching you the application of these
A, B, Cs, we'll begin by emphasizing the first step of Basic Life
Support (BLS). |
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 . . .
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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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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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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. |
Give two breaths and let the victim exhale. |
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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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:
3. Check the victim's breathing by:
5. In order to clear the victim's airway:
7. When you help the victim breathe:
8. When you give chest
compressions: 9. Never place an AED on: 10. Defibrillators should shock the
victim: |
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