CARDIO-PULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR)
Author: Bob Donovan

The following guidelines are those recommended by the Australian Resuscitation Council. Please check the guidelines in your own country.

One of the major topics taught in any First Aid Course is CPR. This article is not a substitute for professional training, but will give you a ready reference in an emergency. I strongly advise every person to complete a full Senior First Aid course.

Feel free to print the article to keep in your First Aid Kit if it does not already have a CPR chart, or if you don't have a first aid kit, keep it handy in the house or near the pool.

Always commence with:

DANGER

RESPONSE

AIRWAY

BREATHING (no breathing, give 5 breaths in 10 seconds)

CIRCULATION (no pulse, commence CPR immediately).

Remember, chest compressions on a beating heart, which are not needed, may cause harm. Always check for a pulse for up to 10 seconds.

CPR for Adults 9 years plus (One or two Operators)

For chest compressions to be effective there are some important points to keep in mind:

· the casualty should be lying flat on a firm surface

· kneel beside the casualty directly opposite their shoulder

· position your hands into the middle of the lower half of the sternum

· Only the heel on one hand should have contact with the chest, fingers parallel with the ribs and up off the rib cage. The other hand supports the first hand which is in contact with the chest

· depress the sternum 1/3 of the casualties depth of chest, keeping compressions very smooth and rhythmical

· compress the chest 15 times, then provide 2 effective breaths

· repeat this sequence 4 times in a minute

· at the end of the first minute check the pulse and breathing

· if no change continue as above for two (2) minute blocks.

Ratio for Adult CPR One or Two operators - 15 compressions plus 2 breaths 4 times per minute

CPR for Children (1-8years) and Infants (0-1year)

CPR for infants and children is exactly the same whether one (1) or two (2) operators, however you must take into consideration the following :

for children:

· breaths should be enough to make the chest rise

· compressions are still at 1/3 of the depth of chest

· compressions are conducted with one (1) hand only

· partial head tilt with jaw support

for infants:

· support the jaw without tilting the head

· compressions are still at 1/3 of the depth of the chest

· compressions are conducted with two (2) fingers on the lower half of the sternum

· use PUFFS of air instead of breaths

Whether Child or Infant, 1 or 2 operators - 5 compressions plus 1 puff/ breath 12 times per minute

When to cease performing CPR

Once you commence CPR it is necessary to continue to ensure you circulate oxygenated blood around the body. You do not stop resuscitation unless one of the following occurs:

· someone else arrives at the scene and takes over CPR for you

· the ambulance arrives

· the casualty responds

· the area becomes dangerous and it is not safe to continue

· you are unable to continue because of exhaustion.