CPR is an emergency life-saving procedure that is used when a person’s heart stops beating. It is capable of doubling or tripling the chances of rescuing a life after a cardiac arrest. Your presence of mind might come in handy in saving a person’s life if such a situation arises. Read on to know more about how you can rescue a life by following some basic steps.
In an unconscious adult whose heart is not beating, immediately start the CPR that includes chest compressions and rescue breaths.
Note: Open the oral cavity of the casualty and check for breathing. If he is breathing normally, do not begin CPR.
Steps to be followed while giving a CPR
STEP-1: POSITION THE HAND
With the casualty lying on his back on a firm surface, kneel beside him and place the heel of your hand on the center of his chest.
STEP-2: INTERLOCK THE FINGERS
Keeping your arms straight, cover the first hand with the heel of your other hand and interlock the fingers of both hands together. Keep the fingers raised so that they do not touch the casualty’s chest or rib cage.
STEP-3: GIVE CHEST COMPRESSIONS
Lean forward so that your shoulders are directly over the casualty’s chest and press straight down on the chest about 4–5 cm. Release the pressure but not your hands and let the chest come back up.
Repeat up to 30 compressions at a rate of 100 compressions per minute.
STEP-4: OPEN THE AIRWAY
Move to the casualty’s head, tilt it, and lift his chin to open the airway. Let his mouth fall open slightly.
STEP-5: GIVE RESCUE BREATHS
Pinch the nostrils closed with the hand that was on the forehead and support the casualty’s chin with your other hand.
Take a normal breath, put your mouth over the casualty’s mouth and blow until you see his chest rise.
STEP-6: OBSERVE CAREFULLY
Remove your mouth from the casualty’s and look along the chest, watching the chest fall.
Repeat Step-5 and Step-6 once again.
STEP-7: REPEAT CHEST COMPRESSIONS AND RESCUE BREATHS
Place your hands on the chest again and repeat the cycle of 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. Continue the cycle until the emergency help arrives.
If normal breathing begins at any point, place the casualty in the recovery position.
Note: Try using an Automated External Defibrillator (after implementing all the above steps) while awaiting the emergency medical services.
Warning while performing CPR
- Avoid pressing on the ribs, the lower tip of the breast bone, or the upper abdomen while giving chest compressions.
- If the chest does not rise and fall with a rescue breath, adjust the head position and try again.
- Do not try more than twice before going on to repeat the chest compressions.
Conclusion:
For highly complicated situations, CPR is a must to try and by inculcating the above-mentioned steps in the right manner, you can preserve someone from losing his life. Always remember to perform CPR immediately before it gets too late.
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