This document provides instructions on how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other first aid techniques. It outlines how to assess an unconscious victim for hazards, how to perform chest compressions and rescue breathing as part of CPR, and how to place an unconscious but breathing victim in the recovery position. The key steps of CPR include assessing the scene, checking if the victim is responsive, calling for help, performing sets of 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths, and using an AED if available. It also describes how to position a victim in the recovery position to keep their airway clear while maintaining spinal precautions if an injury is suspected.
2. INTRODUCTION
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
is a lifesaving technique that’s useful in
many emergencies, such as a heart attack
or near drowning, in which someone’s
breathing or heartbeat has stopped.
3. OBJECTIVES
How to assess the collapsed victim
How to perform chest compressions and
rescue breathing
How to place an unconscious breathing
victim in the recovery position
4. How to assess the collapsed victim
The very first thing you should do if you find someone
collapsed is to asses the situation for any hazards to
yourself or bystanders. A hazard is anything with the
potential to cause harm.
It is important you identify and attempt to reduce the risk
from any potential hazards before entering a situation to
help a collapsed person. Otherwise, you could yourself end
up as a victim!
5. The hazards present will depend on the situation, but you
should quickly check for hazards such as:
*Moving vehicles & traffic
*Slip & trip hazards
*Fume, gas or smoke
*Electrical devices or cables
*Other people- under the influence of drugs or alcohol
*Glass or other sharp objects
6. Once you’ve identified a potential hazard you should take
steps to reduce the risk. For example, this could involve
asking a bystander to manage traffic (if safe to do so). The
specific action you take will depend on the situation.
It is important to remember that as a first aider you are
the most important person. Your safety should be your
priority. Only enter the situation to help a collapsed
person once you have taken reasonable steps to secure
your own safety.
7. Checking for danger forms the first part of DR ABC – an
acronym used to remember the steps to take when
dealing with a collapsed person.
DR ABC stands for:
-Danger
-Response
-Airway
-Breathing
-Circulation/CPR/Call for help (this
can vary depending on local protocol)
8. How to perform chest compressions and
rescue breathing
Giving CPR
1.Check the scene for safety, form an initial impression and
use personal protective equipment (PPE)
2.If the person appears unresponsive, check for
responsiveness, breathing, life-threatening bleeding or other
life-threatening conditions using shout-Tap-Shout
3.If the person does not respond and is not breathing or
only gasping, Call 911 and get equipment, or tell someone
to do so
9. 4.Place the person on their back on a firm, flat surface
5.Give 30 chest compressions
*Hand position: Two hands centered on the chest
*Body position: Shoulder directly over hands; elbow
locked
*Depth: At least 2 inches
*Rate: 100 to 120 per minute
*Allow chest to return to normal position after each
compression
10. 6.Give 2 breath
*Open the airways to a past-neutral position using the
head-tilt/chin-tilt technique
*Ensure each breath lasts about 1 second and makes the
chest rise; allow air to exit before giving the next breath
Note : If the 1st breath does not cause the chest to rise,
re-tilt the head and ensure a proper seal before giving
the 2nd breath if the 2nd breath does not make the chest
rise, an object may be blocked the airways
11. 7.Continous giving sets of 30 chest compressions and 2
breaths. Use AED as soon as one is available.
-WHEN SHOULD CPR IS NOT GIVEN?
If the cardiac arrest victim is breathing normally, you
don’t need to perform CPR. Oxygen-rich blood is still
getting to their brain, and the heart muscle is functioning
for the time being. So if the victim is still breathing, just
put them in recovery position.
12. How to place an unconscious breathing
victim in recovery position
If a person is unconscious but is breathing and has no
other life-threatening conditions, they should be place in
the recovery position.
Putting someone in the recovery position will keep their
airway clear and open. It also ensures that any vomit or
fluid won’t cause them to choke.
13. Follow these steps:
*With the person lying on their back, kneel on the floor at
their side.
*Extend the arm nearest you at a right angle to their body
with their palm facing up.
*Take their other arm and fold it so the back of their hand
rests on the cheek closest to you, and hold it in place.
*Use your free hand to bend the person’s knee farthest
away from you to a right angle.
14. *Carefully roll the person onto their side by pulling on the
bent knee towards you.
*Their bent arm should be supporting the head, and their
extended arm will stop you rolling them too far.
*Make sure their bent leg is at the right angle.
*Open their airway by gently tilting their head back and
lifting their chin, and check that nothing is blocking their
airway.
*Stay with the person and monitor their condition until
help arrives.
15. NOTE : Spinal injury
If you think a person may have a spinal injury, do not
attempt to move them until the emergency services reach
you.
If it’s necessary to open their airway, place your hands on
either side of their head and gently lift their jaw with your
fingertips to open the airway.
16. You should suspect a spinal injury if the person:
*Has been involved in an incident that’s directly affected
their spine, such as a fall from height or being struck
directly in the back.
*Complains of severe pain in their neck or back.
*Is not able to move their neck.
*Feels weak, numb or unable to move.
*Has lost control of their limbs, bladder or bowels.
