Life Saving CPR First Aid

In a case of emergency, it's far better to do something than to do nothing at all even if you're fearful that your knowledge or abilities aren't 100 percent complete. Remember, the difference between your doing something and doing nothing could be someone's life.
CPR can keep oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs until more definitive medical treatment can restore a normal heart rhythm.

Here's tips to ensure your readiness to conducting CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation): [CPR is applicable to all except babies]

Golden Letters:

 

D.R. A.B.C.

1. Danger:

Check for hazards/ your safety before approaching person who requires help.

2. Response:

Is casualty Conscious/ Unconscious. For person who is unconscious, call for help/activate ambulance.

3.  Airway:

Check by asking casualty to speak a sentence/cough. If he is unable to do so, tilt the head back by putting your palm on the forehead, and lift up the chin to open his airway.

 

Remember: Head-tilt, Chin-lift.

 

4. Breathing:

Check for breathing--hear closely, and see (chest movements) closely and feel closely. For 5 to 10 seconds only.

If casualty is gasping or breathing slowly or deeply, With the airway open (using the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver), pinch the nostrils shut for mouth-to-mouth breathing and cover the person's mouth with yours, making a seal.

Then, give two blows into his mouth and check if the chest rises. If the first blow sees the chest rise, give the second breath. If the chest doesn't rise, repeat the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver and then give the second breath.

Thirdly, perform 30 chest compressions with one hand on top of the other, elbows straightened. The compressions should be done about 5cm deep between the nipples (centre of chest).

 

Repeat giving two blows and then 30 chest compressions over 5 cycles or until paramedics arrive.

5. Circulation: 

 

Check for the victim's skin colour and condition. Also, check for any visible injury.

Skin Colour:

• pale? = shock/heart attack
• flushed? = heat stroke

Condition:

• cold? sweaty? = Shock/heart attack 
• hot and dry? = heat stroke

 

Disclaimer: This article/post does not give any guarantee to saving a life. This article/post is aimed at providing information and knowledge on CPR. The methods/procedures may vary for different countries. In certain places, compression begins first, followed by airway and finally breathing.