How to Perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) (Adult and Infant)

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

CPR has to be given during the case of sudden death. Sudden death of cardiac (or) cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating and there is no breathing.

When someone passed out due to cardiac arrest, it is important to give CPR as early as possible because delay might lead to the shortage of oxygen to the brain and eventually permanent brain damage may occur within 4 to 6 minutes. And within 8 to 10 minutes, biological death is considered to take place.

If the proper CPR can be given on time, 50% of individuals may be brought back to life.

Some Common Causes of Sudden Death

·   Heart attack
·       Stroke
·       Drowning
·       Drug overdose
·       Foreign body airway obstruction
·       Severe allergic reactions
·       Severe allergic reactions
·       Severe asthma
·       Electrocution

Before the process of CPR you may perform DRS. A B C. Performing CPR will be very easy if you understand DRS. A B C.

This process is also called One – Man CPR.

• D stands for Danger.
• R stands for Responsiveness.
• S stands for Shouting For Help
• A stands for Airway.
• B stands for Breathing.
• C stands for Circulation

For further detailed understanding of steps of CPR, let's look at this video! I hope you will enjoy it.

Step 1 - D - Checking danger before helping.

Step 2 - R - Check if the victim can respond or not.

Step 3 S - Shouting For Help. You must make sure that help is on the way by activating EMS. Call 911 and get AED.

Step 4 - A - Opening the airway. By carrying out the head – tilt – chin – lift.

What if the patient has spinal injury?

Well in that case, do not tilt the head back because this may result more damage. Just gently grasp his/her jaw and lift it forward with your fingers.

Step 5 - B -  Checking the breathing. First, look at the victim chest and check that is it moving or not. Then move you ear close to the victim’s nose and listen to the breathing sound or you may also feel the air coming out from the victim’s nose.

Step - 6 C - Checking the circulation. Locate the carotid artery and feel the pulse.

Where?

First locate the Adam’s apple and slide your 2 fingers downward to the groove.

Now you can start the CPR protocol!

First, place your heel of your dominant hand on the lower half of the sternum, which is the center of the chest.

Then, carry out the 30:2 protocol. 30 chest compressions and 2 breathing rescues.

Make sure the compressions must be 4 to 6 cm (or) 2 to 2.5 inches. And also, must give effective rate of CPR which is about 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute.

How can I manage the rate of chest compressions?

Well. Here is the trick.

While you are giving chest compressions, count:

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 &

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 10 &

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 15

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 20

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 25

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 30

For breathing rescues, make sure that the ventilation given is about 400 – 600 mls.

And one breathing rescues must last only around 5 seconds.

If you find hard to maintain the rate, just count:

" 2-a-thousand, 3-a-thousand, 4-a-thousand, 5-a-thousand " 

Then check the pulse again after 5 cycles of CPR.

If there is still no pulse, just continue the process.

If you can feel the pulse and breathing after 5 cycles, put the patient in recovery position.

What about the infant? 

You can also follow the adult CPR process but remember for the infant, you can give as much breathing rescues until the infant regains conscious. Also, make sure not to compress with hand; only use your 2 fingers, index and middle fingers.