How+to+Perform+CPR

How to Perform CPR Cardiac arrest is a life-threatening emergency. A heart attack, electrocution, respiratory arrest, drowning or other conditions may cause cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating or is beating too irregularly or weakly to circulate blood effectively. It can occur suddenly and without warning. The signs of a cardiac arrest are unconsciousness, no movement or breathing, and no pulse. A person who is unconscious, not moving or breathing and has no pulse is in cardiac arrest and needs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). CPR is a combination of rescue breathing and chest compressions. Calling EMS personnel (911) immediately is critical for the person’s survival. Effective chest compressions are essential for quality CPR. Effective chest compressions circulate blood to the person’s brain and other vital organs. If an unconscious adult is not moving or breathing and has no pulse, begin CPR. To perform CPR for an adult you should: 1. Tap the victim’s shoulder and shout, “Are you okay?” 2. If no response, summon EMS personnel (call 911). 3. Check for signs of life (movement and normal breathing). a. If the victim is face down, roll the victim onto his or her back, while supporting the head and neck. b. Tilt the head back and lift the chin to open the airway. c. Look for movement and look, listen and feel for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds. d. Irregular gasping or shallow breathing is not normal breathing. 4. If there is no movement or breathing, give two rescue breaths in the victim’s mouth using a resuscitation mask. (See figure 1). a. Assemble and position the resuscitation mask. b. Tilt the head back and lift the chin to open the airway. c. Each rescue breath should last about one second and make the chest clearly rise. 5. If the chest clearly rises, check for a pulse for no more than 10 seconds. a. Feel for a pulse at the carotid artery. With one hand on the victim’s forehead, take your other hand and place 2 fingers on the front of the neck. Then, slide the fingers down into the groove at the side of the neck (See figure 2). b. If there is no movement, breathing or pulse, proceed to step 6. 6. Find the correct hand position to give compressions. a. Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest. b. Place the other hand on top (See figure 3). 7. Give 30 chest compressions. a. Compress the chest about 1½ to 2 inches. b. Let the chest fully recoil to its normal position after each compression. c. Compress at a rate of about 100 compressions per minute. 8. Replace the resuscitation mask and give 2 rescue breaths. a. Each rescue breath should last about one second. b. Give rescue breaths that make the chest clearly rise. 9. Perform cycles of 30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths. a. Continue CPR until: · Another trained rescuer arrives and takes over. · If you are too exhausted to continue. · The scene becomes unsafe. · An obvious sign of life is detected. Cardiac arrest is a life-threatening emergency and despite your best efforts to provide quality care, not all victims of cardiac arrest survive. The sooner you recognize the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and act, the better chance you have to save a life.