CPR. We’ve all seen it on TV shows and movies, but most of us have never tried learning it. In fact, the Australian Red Cross states that 95 percent of Australians have never done a first aid course. Why is it important to take the time to learn? Because when an emergency hits, you want to be ready. Also, there can be a big difference between what you see on tv.
Table of Contents
Before Giving CPR
Before giving CPR there are a few things you should know. It’s important to check a person’s airways to ensure there is no fluid in them, and it’s good to check for breathing using what is called the look listen and feel test. You’ll also want to make sure it’s safe to treat a patient. Any quality first aid course will discuss what is called the DRSABCD action plan and how to do it.
How to Give CPR
If a person is unconscious and isn’t breathing, they need cpr! CPR is made up of two important steps. Pushing on their chest, and breathing into their mouth. To do it well though is a little more nuanced.
How to give Chest Compressions
The first step to give good chest compressions is to get the right location. The easiest way to find the right location is to put the palm of your hand right in the centre of the chest and with your middle finger pointing to the one of the nipples. Next put your other hand directly on top at an angle or lock them together.
Once we’ve found the right location, we need to push down. You’ll need to push down around a third of a person’s chest depth (approx. 5cm on an adult) each time, but that can be exhausting! So rather than pushing with your arms, position your body close and use your body weight to help you push down. What about rhythm? You’ll need to push 100-120 times each minute. Many people find it helpful to imagine a song in their mind, such as the Bee Gees seminal 1977 classic “Staying Alive,” or Abba’s oh how catchy: “Dancing Queen:
As you give chest compressions there are a few blunders that can easily be made. First, not getting that right location. The CPR you give is always less effective if your hand is not in the centre of the chest. Get too low, and you could damage vital organs. Second, it’s challenging to push hard enough. Because of that, it has been found that after a minute most people fail to press hard enough without even realising it. So, it’s important to be really conscious of your depth. Third, if you don’t push with the right rhythm, it can make a difference to the potency of your compressions.
Giving CPR Breaths
In Australia, the people that set first aid standards (ANZCOR) say that after each 30 chest compressions, we give to breaths to the patient. These breaths are called rescue breaths. It’s not just simply a matter of breathing into their mouth, there is a bit more involved. When giving a rescue breath, you need to pinch the patients nose, otherwise the air you’ll blow in will go out their nose instead of the chest. It’s also worth tilting their head slightly backwards so the tongue doesn’t obstruct the airway. You’ll want to open your mouth as widely as possible to create a good seal. You’ll want each breath to last about a second. Generally, if you’ve done it right, you should see their chest rise and fall. Make sure you don’t breathe too hard though! If excess air enters, it will go past the chest and into the rest of the body, this can cause the patient to vomit, which is time consuming to drain.
You may have heard that many nations around the world are encouraging people to give CPR with just the chest compressions, not the breaths. Are breaths still needed? Yes! Hands only CPR is great for people who are thrust into an emergency who have limited knowledge of CPR. Many countries promote it to help bystanders feel more ready to do something in an emergency. But, if at all possible, it’s still better to give breaths. It can result in a better outcome.
You may wonder, could I become Ill if I give breaths? Actually, the rate of disease because of giving CPR is quite low. Australian national guidelines recommend that we not let risk of disease deter us. Of course, it is still any first aiders choice whether they give breaths or not. Most quality first aid kits come with a face shield or filter that can help reduce the risk of contamination.
Conclusion So there you have it. You’ve seen it on TV and movies, and now you know what’s involved! With the few simple techniques, we’ve discussed in this article you can save a life! Would you like to know more? Why not take a CPR course from a local provider?
