You've seen it done on countless television programs and movies. It's a valuable asset. It saves lives. There is no excuse for not learning how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This is an important skill everyone should know, without exception. It is especially important if you have a loved one that is at risk for stroke or cardiac arrest.
Before I begin explaining what CPR is and how to administer it correctly, I will first give a disclaimer: I am not a certified instructor, and anything I say here is strictly intended to encourage you to seek training from a professional instructor. I suggest searching for a local Red Cross. Red Cross offers courses and certification relatively inexpensively.
Why should I learn CPR?
CPR is a lifesaving technique proven effective in keeping individuals alive while emergency medical services (EMS) are in route. In the event of cardiac arrest, if CPR is not administered within two minutes, serious brain damage may occur. It is important to stress that CPR is not intended to be the sole technique, the first step is to call 911. CPR will provide oxygen and blood to the brain while waiting on EMS.
Because CPR is so effective, certain employers require certification. This would include medical/dental staff, childcare providers, security staff, and many others. Certification includes a CPR card to prove to your employer you are trained.
But the main reason you want to learn CPR is because you're a good person. You love your family and friends, and you love your community. Knowing CPR can make all the difference in difficult situations.
What is CPR?
When the heart stops, so does blood circulation. Blood carries oxygen to all the cells in your body, including your brain. When cells lose oxygen, they begin to die. CPR includes a combination of rescue breathing and chest compressions, which does two things
- Provides oxygen to the lungs, which is delivered to the bloodstream
- Moves the oxygenated blood through the body, especially to the head
The CPR technique includes four steps:
- Call 911
- Tilt head back to open airway, check for breathing and pulse
- Two breaths
- Thirty chest compressions
There is an easy way to remember these last three steps. It is ABC. Airway, Breathing, Circulation.
- A: Open the airway.
- B: Breathe for the patient.
- C: Circulate the blood.
Don't panic! Panicking will cause you to forget or rush these steps.
You should wait 10-15 seconds for signs of breathing. Open their airway, feel for a breath, listen for a breath, and look for a breath. Feel. Listen. Look. Put your ear above the patient's mouth with your eyes facing their chest. If the patient is breathing, do not give rescue breathing.
If a patient is breathing but has no pulse: call 911, open the airway and just do chest compressions.
How do I do CPR?
Like I said at the outset: if this is an emergency, call 911. Seek professional training. This will only cover adult cardiac arrest.
A - Airway. Lay the patient on her back. Tilt the head all the way back. This moves the tongue out of the throat. Open the mouth. Check for obstructions.
B - Breathing. Pinch the nose to prevent air from escaping. Cover their entire mouth with your mouth. Make one deep breath. Check for chest rising. Inhale away from their mouth, and make a second breath.
C - Circulation. Find the sternum. It is the bone in the center of the chest directly above the heart. This is usually right between the two nipples. It is better to be too high than too low, as being too low can cause internal bleeding. Press down about 2-inches rapidly 30 times. The speed should be about 100 compressions for minute. Repeat at A.
The ABC's of CPR -- powered by eHow.com
What about children?
If a child is unconscious, not breathing, and has no pulse, it's probably not a cardiac arrest. Administer CPR for two minutes before calling 911.
I hope this article has encouraged you to improve your penmanship and become A Better Human Being!
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