Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique used when someone's heart has stopped beating (cardiac arrest) or they’ve stopped breathing.
It helps maintain blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain and vital organs until professional medical help arrives.
2. When to Perform CPR
If the person is:
Unresponsive.
Not breathing or only gasping (agonal breathing).
Showing no signs of circulation (e.g., no pulse).
3. Steps for Adult CPR (Basic Life Support)???
A. Check for Responsiveness
Tap the person and shout, "Are you okay?"
If there’s no response, call 911 immediately or ask someone else to call.
B. Open the Airway
Tilt the head back slightly and lift the chin to open the airway.
C. Begin Chest Compressions (High-Quality)
Hand Placement:
Place one hand on top of the other in the center of the chest (on the sternum).
Depth: Push down at least 2 inches.
Rate: Perform compressions at 100–120 beats per minute (to the beat of a song like "Stayin’ Alive").
Allow the chest to fully recoil between compressions.
D. Provide Rescue Breaths (If Trained)
After 30 chest compressions, give 2 rescue breaths:
Pinch the person’s nose shut.
Cover their mouth with yours and blow for 1 second, watching their chest rise.
If the chest doesn’t rise, reposition the head and try again.
Continue the cycle: 30 compressions 2 breaths.
E. Use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
If available, turn on the AED and follow voice prompts.
Apply pads to the person’s bare chest and ensure no one is touching them when analyzing or delivering a shock.
Resume CPR immediately after using the AED.
4. CPR for Children and Infants
A. For Children (Ages 1–8):
Use one hand for compressions (instead of two).
Compression depth: About 2 inches.
Rescue breaths and chest compression ratio remains 30:2.
B. For Infants (Under 1 Year):
Use two fingers to compress the chest just below the nipple line.
Compression depth: About 1.5 inches.
Gently cover the infant’s nose and mouth with your mouth for rescue breaths.
5. Key Differences Between Hands-Only CPR and Full CPR
Hands-Only CPR:
Focuses solely on chest compressions (no rescue breaths).
Recommended for untrained bystanders or in situations where rescue breaths aren’t safe (e.g., during a pandemic).
Effective for adults who collapse suddenly due to cardiac arrest.
Full CPR:
Includes both compressions and rescue breaths.
Ideal for drowning, choking, or respiratory arrest cases.
6. Emergency Care for Common Scenarios
A. Choking
Conscious Adult/Child: Perform the Heimlich Maneuver:
Stand behind the person, wrap your arms around their waist, and perform abdominal thrusts.
Unconscious: Begin CPR and check for the object in the airway after each cycle.
B. Drowning Victims
Provide 5 initial rescue breaths before starting chest compressions.
Prioritize rescue breaths since drowning victims often experience respiratory arrest first.
C. Severe Bleeding
Apply direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or bandage.
Keep the wound raised, if possible.
D. Shock
Lay the person flat on their back and raise their legs slightly (unless there’s an injury).
Keep them warm and calm.
7. Using an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
What is an AED?
A portable device that can analyze a heart’s rhythm and deliver a shock to restore normal rhythm in cardiac arrest cases.
Steps to Use an AED:
Turn it on and follow the voice instructions.
Attach pads to the person’s bare chest (avoid placing pads over implanted devices like pacemakers).
Stand clear while the AED analyzes the heart’s rhythm and delivers a shock if needed.
Resume CPR immediately after the shock.
8. First Aid Kit Essentials for CPR and Emergency Care
CPR face shield or pocket mask.
Disposable gloves.
Gauze and bandages for wounds.
Scissors to cut clothing (for AED pad placement).?
AED (if applicable).
9. Legal Considerations (Good Samaritan Laws)?
Protects bystanders who provide CPR or first aid in good faith.
Encourages people to help in emergencies without fear of legal repercussions.