Knowing how to perform both methods of CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on an adult could save a life. However, the most recommended one has changed relatively recently, and it is important to know the difference with the other. In 2010, the Association of American Cardiologists made radical changes in the cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedure for victims of cardiac arrest, after studies have shown that CPR with compression only (without mouth-to-mouth resuscitation) is effective. as much as the traditional method.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Check the Vital Signs
Step 1. Check the situation for immediate dangers
Make sure you don't risk your life to perform CPR. Is there a fire? Is this person lying on the street? Take all necessary steps to secure yourself and the victim.
- If there is something that could put you or the unconscious person in danger, look for a way to fix it. Open a window, turn off the stove or turn off the heat if possible.
- However, if there is nothing you can do to eliminate the cause of the danger, move the victim. The best way to do this is to place a blanket or coat under her back and drag her around.
Step 2. Make sure of his state of consciousness
Gently tap her shoulder and ask her "Are you okay?" with a clear and strong voice. If he responds, do not use CPR. Instead, practice basic first aid measures to prevent and treat shock; in the meantime, consider calling the emergency services.
If the victim does not respond, massage their breastbone or pinch their earlobe to see their reaction. If it still doesn't respond, check the pulse on the neck, under the thumb, or on the wrist
Step 3. Call the emergency services
The more people you find that are available to help you, the better. However, if you don't find anyone, you can do it yourself. Send someone for an ambulance. If you are alone, call for help before you begin.
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To contact the emergency services, call:
• 118 in Italy
• 000 in Australia
• 112 from your mobile phone also in Europe (including UK)
• 999 in the UK and Hong Kong
• 102 in India
• 1122 in Pakistan
• 111 in New Zealand
• 123 in Egypt
• 911 in North America
• 120 in China
- Tell the switchboard your location and let them know that you will be practicing CPR. If you are alone, start doing it immediately after finishing the phone call. If there is another person with you, have them stay on the phone while you perform CPR on the victim.
Step 4. Check your breathing
Also make sure your airways aren't blocked. If the mouth is closed, press your thumb and forefinger on the cheeks at the bottom of the dental arches and then look inside. Remove any visible obstacles that are within reach, but don't insert your fingers too deep. Place your ear close to the victim's mouth and nose and listen for a light breath. If the victim coughs or breathes normally, do not perform CPR.
Part 2 of 5: Perform CPR
Step 1. Put the victim on his back
Make sure it is in the flattest position possible; in this way you avoid any risk of injury during chest compression. Tilt your head back, placing your palm on your forehead and pushing your chin up.
Step 2. Place the base of the hand on her breastbone, 2 fingers above where the lower ribs join, exactly between her nipples
Step 3. Place the other hand on top of the first, palm facing down, interlock the fingers with the fingers of the first hand
Step 4. Place your body directly over your hands, so your arms are straight and a little stiff
Don't flex your arms to push, but try to lock your elbows and use your upper body strength for compressions.
Step 5. Perform 30 chest compressions
Press with both hands directly on the breastbone to perform a compression that stimulates the heartbeat. Chest compressions are essential for correcting abnormal heartbeats (ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia, rapid rather than regular heartbeat).
- You should press down, about 5cm.
- Do the compressions at a fairly brisk pace. Some agencies recommend practicing them to the rhythm of the famous 70's song "Stayin 'Alive", by the Bee Gees, or at about 100 strokes per minute.
Step 6. Give the victim two breaths
If you have been trained to practice CPR and feel totally confident, you can still give two rescue breaths after 30 chest compressions. Tilt your head and raise your chin. Pinch them in your nose with your fingers and do mouth-to-mouth resuscitation for 1 second.
- Make sure you blow slowly to allow air to enter your lungs and not your stomach.
- If the breath has entered, you should notice a slight rise in the chest. Repeat the breathing.
- If not, reposition your head and try again.
Part 3 of 5: Continue Resuscitation until Help Arrives
Step 1. Minimize the pause between compressions when the person giving the massage changes or when preparing for a shock with the defibrillator
Try to limit interruptions to less than 10 seconds.
Step 2. Make sure the airways are open
Place your hand on the victim's forehead and two fingers on the chin and tilt her head back to open her airways.
- If you suspect a neck injury, move your jaw forward rather than lifting your chin. If the jaw dislocation prevents you from opening the airways, gently tilt your head and raise your chin.
- If the victim shows no signs of life, put a mask (if available) over their mouth.
Step 3. Repeat the cycle of 30 chest compressions
If you are also practicing breathing, keep doing thirty compressions and two breaths; repeat 30 compressions again and another 2 breaths. Continue until someone replaces you or until help arrives.
You should perform CPR (5 cycles of compressions and breaths) before checking your vital signs again
Part 4 of 5: Using a Defibrillator
Step 1. Use an automated external defibrillator.
If this tool is available nearby, use it as soon as possible to restart the victim's heartbeat.
Make sure there are no puddles or water in the immediate vicinity
Step 2. Turn on the defibrillator
There should be an automated voice telling you what to do.
Step 3. Fully expose the victim's chest
Remove any metal necklace and underwire bra. Check that there are no piercings or that the person does not have a pacemaker or an implanted cardiac defibrillator (they should have a bracelet that indicates this) to avoid giving the shock too close to these areas.
The victim's chest must be completely dry and the person must not lie in the water. If the patient is particularly hairy, you should shave him if possible. Some defibrillators come with a kit for this
Step 4. Attach the adhesive electrodes to the victim's chest
Follow the instructions of the voice guide for the exact location. Keep the electrodes at least 2.5cm away from any metal piercings and implanted devices.
Make sure no one is touching the victim as you release the electric shock
Step 5. Press the "ANALYZE" button on the defibrillator
If a shock is needed, the guiding voice will tell you. If you shock, make sure no one is touching the patient.
Step 6. Do not remove the pads and restart CPR for another 5 cycles before using the defibrillator again
Part 5 of 5: Putting the Victim into a Safe Position
Step 1. Position the victim only after they have stabilized and resumed spontaneous breathing
Step 2. Bend and lift her knee and push the opposite hand partially under her hip
Now take her free hand and place it on the opposite shoulder so that the victim rolls onto the side of the straight leg. The bent knee helps stabilize the body and keep it from rolling further. The arm whose hand is below the hip prevents the patient from rolling back.
Step 3. Rely on the safety position to help the victim breathe easier
In this position, saliva does not accumulate in the back of the mouth or in the throat and the tongue is more likely to fall outwards rather than backwards, thus preventing any obstruction of the airways.
This position is important in cases of near-drowning or overdose, if there is a risk that the victim will vomit
Advice
- If you don't want / can do artificial respiration, just start "chest compressions". This will help the victim overcome cardiac arrest.
- The emergency services operator can guide you through the CPR procedure if you need it.
- Take a training course at a local association. Often the Red Cross and the voluntary rescue services organize them.
- Always call emergency services.
- If you have to move or roll the victim, try to do it in the least invasive way possible.
Warnings
- Remember that CPR for adults differs from CPR for children and infants. This article explains that for adults.
- If the person is breathing normally, coughing, or moving, they don't need chest compressions. It would do no good and you would waste precious time.
- Be very careful not to damage the victim's breastbone. If you perform CPR incorrectly, you can disrupt the xiphoid process whose fragments can affect the liver resulting in massive and fatal bleeding.
- Do not move the victim unless he is in a position of immediate danger.
- Remember, if someone is not already your patient, you need to ask permission from the victim who is able to give it to you before helping them. If the victim is unconscious, you have implicit consent.
- If you can, wear gloves and use a protective barrier over your mouth to limit the chance of getting sick.
- If the position of your hands is correct, don't be afraid to use the force of your upper body to press on an adult's breastbone. After all, you need some force to press the heart against the victim's back and pump blood.
- Don't slap her in an attempt to wake her up, don't shake her, and don't scare her. Gently move her shoulder and call her.
- The most important thing to remember: do not panic! Otherwise you will start hyperventilating, you will be hungry for air and you will think you are having a heart attack too!
