Technique – Chest compressions
1. Kneel on both knees beside the person’s chest.
2. If possible, make sure the person is lying on their back on a hard surface.
3. Place the heel of one of your hands in the middle of the person’s chest. This corresponds to the lower half of the breastbone.
4. Place the heel of your other hand on top of your first hand.
5. Hook the fingers of both hands together. Raise the fingers of your first hand upwards. Do not apply pressure to the ribs or the upper part of the stomach or the bottom end of the breastbone.
6. Make sure your shoulders are directly above the person’s chest.
7. Push the breastbone at least 5 centimetres deep (maximum 6 centimetres), with your arms outstretched and your elbows locked.
8. Allow the chest to fully rise again after each chest compression. Do not lose contact between your hands and the breastbone. Do not allow your hands to shift.
9. Give 30 chest compressions at a frequency of 100 to 120 times per minute. Interrupt the chest compressions as little as possible.
In this comprehensive guide, we delved into the world of CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), exploring its meaning, the step-by-step procedure, the ideal depth of chest compressions, recommended chest compressions per minute, the correct CPR position, and crucially, the five situations when you should not perform CPR.
What is CPR?
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, or CPR, is a life-saving emergency procedure performed when someone’s heartbeat or breathing has stopped. Its primary goal is to maintain blood circulation and oxygen delivery to vital organs, giving the person a fighting chance until professional medical help arrives.
The CPR Procedure
1. Assess the Situation
Begin by ensuring the scene is safe for both you and the victim. Check for responsiveness by tapping the person and shouting loudly, “Are you okay?”
2. Call for Help
If the victim is unresponsive, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. If someone is nearby, ask them to make the call while you start CPR.
3. Chest Compressions
Lay the victim flat on their back on a firm surface. Kneel beside them and place the heel of one hand in the center of their chest, just below the nipple line. Place your other hand on top, interlocking your fingers. Keep your elbows straight and use your upper body weight to compress the chest.
4. Compressions Depth
The ideal depth for chest compressions is about 2 inches (5 centimetres) for adults. For infants, it’s about 1.5 inches (4 centimetres), and for children, it’s approximately 2 inches (5 centimetres).
5. Compression Rate
Administer chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. This equates to roughly 2 compressions per second. Remember to allow the chest to fully recoil between compressions.
6. Rescue Breaths (If Trained)
If you are trained in CPR and comfortable giving rescue breaths, provide two rescue breaths after every 30 compressions. Ensure that each breath causes visible chest rise.
7. Continue CPR
Continue CPR until the victim shows signs of life, professional help arrives, or you are too exhausted to continue.
CPR Position
The best position to perform CPR is with the victim lying on their back on a flat, stable surface. This provides the most effective access to the chest for compressions and ensures proper alignment of the airway for rescue breaths.
Situations When You Should Not Perform CPR
Decomposition: If the victim has obviously been dead for a long time, performing CPR will not be effective.
Rigour Mortis: When the victim’s body has become stiff and unyielding, CPR is futile.
Lividity: Lividity, or pooling of blood in the body after death, is a sign that resuscitation will likely not be successful.
Obvious Fatal Injuries: If the victim has suffered injuries that are incompatible with life, such as a severed head, there’s no point in performing CPR.
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders: If the victim has a legally binding DNR order or a living will specifying their wish not to be resuscitated, you must respect their wishes, though this happens more in countries like Us, Europe etc. If there are no restrictions by such persons, one can still go a head to perform CPR.
Conclusion
CPR is a vital skill that can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency. Understanding the procedure, depth of chest compressions, compression rate, and when not to perform CPR is crucial for anyone who might find themselves in a life-saving situation. Remember, acting quickly and confidently can save lives.