Performing CPR
CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) can be a lifesaving technique when applied properly to a victim who is in cardiac arrest. Performing CPR is not difficult in itself, but certain precautions must be taken to avoid doing further injury to the victim or to one's self. Proper techniques for performing CPR also differ depending on the age and size of the victim. Training courses on performing CPR cover all contingencies and give the CPR provider hands-on experience. But here are the basic steps about performing CPR.
Performing CPR on someone who's quit breathing may be a life saver. The technique being taught today is easier than in the past, partially because chest compressions are the main focus of CPR in the 2008 school of thought.
Check the victim's vital signs. If the victim is conscious, CPR is unnecessary. Likewise, if the victim is breathing on his/her own, then performing CPR will not do any good. If you can feel a pulse or detect breathing, do not perform CPR.
Call 911 for professional emergency assistance, if possible. If another person is available, have him/her call 911 while you are performing CPR.
If the victim is in a hazardous area, move him/her to a safe location if possible. Do not try performing CPR near a fire or downed electrical wire. You may become a victim yourself, and/or do further injury to the victim you are trying to help.
Place the victim onto his/her back, with his/her head facing up. The victim should be on a hard, flat surface. This is essential to performing CPR, but it conflicts with general advice that one should avoid moving a victim lest damage be done to the neck or spinal bones. However, if a victim is not breathing then the certainty of imminent death overrides the possibility of further injury.
Lift the victim's chin up, so that he/she seems to be sniffing the air. This position opens the air passageways and allows air to flow freely in and out of the lungs.
Check the victim's mouth to be sure nothing is obstructing the air passageway. If the victim's tongue is swollen and blocking the flow of air, you may have to hold the tongue down with a finger or thumb while performing CPR. Sometimes people vomit when they have been hurt and that blocks the airway; carefully turn the patient on their side and sweep the vomitus from their mouth before putting them back on their back. Note: do not do a blind finger sweep on small children or infants.
Position your mouth over the victim's mouth, forming a tight seal around the victim's mouth with your lips. Pinch the victim's nose shut so that no air will escape while you perform mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration.
Take a deep breath, seal your mouth around the victim's, and blow air firmly and steadily. Raise your head, allowing air to leave the victim's lungs. Then repeat this procedure one more time, for a total of two.
Cross your hands so that the palm of one hand rests on the back of the other. Position both hands in the center of the victim's chest, about one inch below the victim's nipple line. Be careful not to position your hands too low, or you may crack the sternum bones located at the bottom of the rib attachments.
Press suddenly and forcefully down with both hands. You may hear a small pop or crack sound, but that is normal when ribs are bent. Do this compression 100 times per minute (as of 2008), about the beat of the Bee Gees' tune, "Stayin' Alive".
Check the victim's vital signs again. If a pulse and normal breathing exist, stop performing CPR and roll the victim onto his/her side.
Performing CPR on young children and infants is somewhat different from the procedure for adults. Try to cover both mouth and nostrils with your mouth. Press more lightly on the sternum of young children, using one hand instead of two. For infants under one year of age, use just the tips of your forefinger and middle finger.
The newest trend in performing CPR is to focus more on keeping the patient's circulation going with the chest compressions than on breathing air into them. CPR techniques change fairly frequently so try to stay abreast of the latest trend.
