Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

I. Signs of Cardiac Arrest:

• Loss of consciousness

• No breathing or gasping

• No heartbeat

II. Chest Compression/Rescue Breathing Ratio:

• 30 chest compressions/2 rescue breaths

III. Causes:

• Drowning

• Burial

• Inhalation of toxic gases

• Airway obstruction

• Brain or nerve damage

IV. CPR Sequence:

• DRCAB

V. Explanation of Each Step:

• D (Danger): Assess the scene for any danger.

• R (Response): Assess the victim’s responsiveness:

• Tap the shoulder and shout

• Loosen tight clothing

• Check pupils

• Identify signs of cardiac arrest/respiratory arrest:

• Check femoral + carotid artery pulses

• Check breathing:

• Look: Is the chest moving?

• Feel: Is the abdomen moving?

• Listen + Feel: Listen for breath on the cheek.

• C (Circulation): Chest compression technique:

• Adults:

• Compression location: Lower 1/3 of the breastbone

• Use both hands

• Depth: 5-6 cm

• Children:

• Location: Lower 1/3 of the breastbone

• Use one or both hands

• Depth: 1/3 of the anterior-posterior diameter (approximately 5 cm)

• Infants:

• Location: Where the breastbone and nipples meet

• Use two fingers

• Depth: 4 cm

• Compression rate: 100-120 compressions per minute

• Rest time: < 10 seconds

• A (Airway): Check + clear airway:

• Open the airway by tilting the victim’s head back

• Check for foreign objects and manually open the victim’s mouth

• Do not attempt to remove the foreign object if it is difficult to remove

• B (Breathing): Rescue breathing technique:

• Victim is lying on their back with their head tilted back as much as possible

• Rescuer stands to the side of the victim

• One hand is placed on the forehead and the other on the chin

• Rate:

• Adults: 15-20 breaths per minute

• Children: 20-25 breaths per minute

• Infants and young children: 30-40 breaths per minute

VI. Chest Compression/Rescue Breathing Cycle:

• Adults: 30 chest compressions/2 rescue breaths

• Children: 15 chest compressions/2 rescue breaths

VII. Notes:

• Perform 5 cycles continuously.

• If there is assisted ventilation, perform chest compressions continuously and ventilate 10 times per minute.

• Pregnant women: Elevate the victim’s hip during chest compressions (to prevent compression of major arteries, which hinders blood flow from the lower body to the heart).

VIII. Reasons to Avoid Excessive Ventilation:

• Gastric distension and esophageal reflux.

• Increased chest pressure, reducing venous return and cardiac output.