RESUSCITATION
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is vital, life-saving skill that every person should know. Learning how to effectively perform CPR can prepare the first aid provider to respond in the event that they observe a cardiac arrest.
Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating. A person who suffers a cardiac arrest will be unconscious and show no signs of life. Cardiac arrest may occur at any age from various causes, but the most common is heart disease. To be prepared to respond to cardia arrest appropriately and effectively, the first needs to know how to call triple zero (000) for an ambulance service and how to provide CPR. When these steps are initiated early, they may help improve survival from sudden, out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating. A person who suffers a cardiac arrest will be unconscious and show no signs of life. Cardiac arrest may occur at any age from various causes, but the most common is heart disease. To be prepared to respond to cardia arrest appropriately and effectively, the first needs to know how to call triple zero (000) for an ambulance service and how to provide CPR. When these steps are initiated early, they may help improve survival from sudden, out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
Chains of survival
The chain of survival is critical to achieving the successful resuscitation of a casualty in cardiac arrest. The success of resuscitation attempts is dependant upon all links in this chain being activated in a timely way. A delay in the care specified in any link will significantly decrease a casualty's chances of survival. The first aid provider is well placed to give a casualty who is in cardiac arrest vital early treatment. They are a critical element in the chain of survival.
Link 1 - early recognition
Early recognition that a person is suffering from a cardiac condition or is in cardiac arrest is essential. This allows the first aider to commence the vital treatment a casualty requires and to call for an ambulance as soon as possible.
Link 2 - early access
Early activation of the ambulance service is an essential link in the chain. It will provide the casualty early access to the care that can be provided by paramedics with advanced skills and equipment for a casualty in cardiac arrest.
Link 3 - early CPR
The timely and effective provision of CPR significantly increases a casualty's chances of surviving a cardiac arrest. The purpose of CPR is to maintain blood flow and thereby the supply if oxygen to the body's vital organs until ambulance paramedics can provide more advance forms of care.
Link 4 - early defibrillation
Defibrillation is designed to stop certain dangerous heart rhythms and assist the heart to regain a normal rhythm. This will result in effective circulation recommencing to oxygenate the vital organs. The greater the lapse of time before defibrillation is attempted, the less successful it is likely to be. Some public venues, such as service clubs, shopping centres and major sporting grounds, have their own defibrillators and staff trained to use them.
Link 5 - early advanced life support (ALS).
QAS paramedics are trained in the use of an carry advanced cardiac drugs to increase the casualty's chances of survival during resuscitation attempts. If a casualty has been successfully resuscitated by first aid providers, paramedics are able to stabilise them prior to departing for hospital.
Link 6 - definitive care
Definitive care is available at hospital where a higher level of medical care can be provided. Prompt CPR and early defibrillation will increase the chances of survival for a casualty in cardiac arrest.
Link 1 - early recognition
Early recognition that a person is suffering from a cardiac condition or is in cardiac arrest is essential. This allows the first aider to commence the vital treatment a casualty requires and to call for an ambulance as soon as possible.
Link 2 - early access
Early activation of the ambulance service is an essential link in the chain. It will provide the casualty early access to the care that can be provided by paramedics with advanced skills and equipment for a casualty in cardiac arrest.
Link 3 - early CPR
The timely and effective provision of CPR significantly increases a casualty's chances of surviving a cardiac arrest. The purpose of CPR is to maintain blood flow and thereby the supply if oxygen to the body's vital organs until ambulance paramedics can provide more advance forms of care.
Link 4 - early defibrillation
Defibrillation is designed to stop certain dangerous heart rhythms and assist the heart to regain a normal rhythm. This will result in effective circulation recommencing to oxygenate the vital organs. The greater the lapse of time before defibrillation is attempted, the less successful it is likely to be. Some public venues, such as service clubs, shopping centres and major sporting grounds, have their own defibrillators and staff trained to use them.
Link 5 - early advanced life support (ALS).
QAS paramedics are trained in the use of an carry advanced cardiac drugs to increase the casualty's chances of survival during resuscitation attempts. If a casualty has been successfully resuscitated by first aid providers, paramedics are able to stabilise them prior to departing for hospital.
Link 6 - definitive care
Definitive care is available at hospital where a higher level of medical care can be provided. Prompt CPR and early defibrillation will increase the chances of survival for a casualty in cardiac arrest.
CPR
What is CPR?
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. "Cardio" refers to the heart and "pulmonary" refers ti the lungs. Therefore, CPR is about getting oxygenated blood to the brain, heart and other vital organs, of a person who is unable to do it themselves. Without it, they will die. CPR involves blowing air into a person's lungs by mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and pushing on their chest to pump the heart.
CPR should only be performed on someone who's had a cardiac arrest. If they have, they will appear to have no signs of life.
No signs of life include:
In this instance, CPR should commence immediately, beginning with two rescue breaths.
When should I stop CPR?
There is no specific timeframe for how long a first aider should administer CPR. Keep going until:
How do I do CPR?
Administering CPR varies depending on the age of the casualty.
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. "Cardio" refers to the heart and "pulmonary" refers ti the lungs. Therefore, CPR is about getting oxygenated blood to the brain, heart and other vital organs, of a person who is unable to do it themselves. Without it, they will die. CPR involves blowing air into a person's lungs by mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and pushing on their chest to pump the heart.
CPR should only be performed on someone who's had a cardiac arrest. If they have, they will appear to have no signs of life.
No signs of life include:
- Unconscious
- Unresponsive
- Not breathing normally
- Not moving
In this instance, CPR should commence immediately, beginning with two rescue breaths.
When should I stop CPR?
There is no specific timeframe for how long a first aider should administer CPR. Keep going until:
- The person recovers, regains signs of life
- A paramedic or health care professional takes over or tells you to stop
- It becomes impossible for you to continue
- There is danger to you
How do I do CPR?
Administering CPR varies depending on the age of the casualty.
Adult Cpr
When performing CPR it is vital to first go through the DRSABC to assess whether or not CPR in necessary (CPR is necessary if there is no breathing).
Procedure:
IMPORTANT! If an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is available, attach the AED as early as possible an follow the voice prompts provided. Remember DO NOT delay commencing resuscitation if an AED is not immediately available
Procedure:
- If there is not normal breathing commence CPR
- First place the victim of their back in preparation for the compression's
- Start compression and rescue breaths of 30 compressions and 2 breaths is 24 seconds
- Place the heel of one hand in the lower half of the chest and then place your other hand on top
- Push down in the centre of their chest about one third of the chest depth
- Ensure to partially remove any clothing that may inhibit your ability to perform compressions
- Look down the body of the victim after every rescue breath to see the chest rising and falling
- Stop once there are signs of life or are informed to
IMPORTANT! If an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is available, attach the AED as early as possible an follow the voice prompts provided. Remember DO NOT delay commencing resuscitation if an AED is not immediately available
Children and Infant CPR
The difference in CPR for children between the ages of 1 to 8 is that you only use one hand and the compressions are not as deep or forceful. The victim still remains on their back.
The difference in CPR for infants below the age of one year is that the compressions are even less deep and as forceful as in children and instead of a hand two fingers are to be used. The victim still remains on their back.
The difference in CPR for infants below the age of one year is that the compressions are even less deep and as forceful as in children and instead of a hand two fingers are to be used. The victim still remains on their back.
Bibliography:
Queensland Ambulance Service, 2012, First Aid Manual
Queensland Ambulance Service, 2012, First Aid Manual