Perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
What is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is rescue breathing used in conjunction with chest compressions. CPR is the most effective form of active resuscitation available today and is used universally by first aiders and medical personnel alike.
The technique is vital in supplying oxygen and blood circulation to the casualty and is used to 'buy time' in resuscitation of casualties in cardiac arrest.
Rescue breaths provide oxygen to the casualty's lungs and blood while chest compressions, when applied correctly, pumps the oxygenated blood around the body.
Effective CPR will "buy time" for a casualty by circulating blood and oxygen around the body reducing damage to vital organs such as the brain.
Indications for CPR
- Unconscious (unresponsive)
- Not moving
- No normal breathing, although there may be brief irregular, 'gasping' breaths
Procedure for CPR
To provide effective compressions the first aider's must compress in the centre of the casualty's chest.
- Ensure the safety of all those at the scene
- Check the casualty's response
- Check the casualty's condition and send or go for help or call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance
- if you are on your own, leave the casualty and go for help
- Open airway
- Check breathing
- If unresponsive and not breathing
Adults and children
- Kneel by the side of the casualty
- Place the heel of one hand in the centre of the casualty's chest
- Place the heel of the other hand on top of the first hand and interlock the fingers of the hands
- Position yourself directly above the casualty's chest and, with your arms straight, press down on the sternum 1/3 depth of chest
- Release all the pressure on the chest without losing contact between the hands and the sternum
- Give 30 compressions at a rate of about 100 times a minute (a little less than 2 compressions a second)
- Compression and release should take an equal amount of time
Do not apply any pressure over the casualty's ribs, upper abdomen or the bottom end of the bony sternum (breastbone)
Infants
- Kneel by the side of the casualty
- Place two fingers in the centre of the casualty's chest
- Ensure that pressure is not applied over the casualty's rib
- Position yourself directly above the casualty's chest and, with your arm straight, press down on the sternum 1/3 the depth of the chest 30 times
- Release all the pressure on the chest without losing contact between the fingers and the sternum
- Give 30 compressions at a rate of about 100 times a minute (a little less than 2 compressions a second).
- Compression and release should take an equal amount of time
Chest compression only CPR
If for any reason rescue breaths cannot be given, chest compressions should still be administered as some oxygen will still be circulated. Compress in the centre of the casualty's chest continuously 100 times per minute.
Re-checking for circulation
You should only stop to re-check the casualty if they start breathing normally again, otherwise do not interrupt resuscitation.
Multiple rescuers
If there is more than one rescuer present, change over the role of performing CPR
approximately every 2 minutes to reduce fatigue. Change over with minimal delay
of compressions.
When to stop CPR
- Qualified help arrives and takes over
- The casualty starts breathing normally
- You become physically unable to continue
