Just a few years ago, performing CPR on a victim meant that you had to remember to count the number of chest compressions you were giving, and remember to give rescue breaths between each set of compressions. Trying to remember all the steps, especially a few months or years after your CPR certification class, was sometimes daunting, especially in the face of an emergency situation. With swine flu, bird flu, hepatitis and HIV lurking about, more and more bystanders are becoming reluctant about going mouth to mouth with a stranger to give rescue breaths. We’ll things have change a lot over the past couple of years and American Heart, now has new guidelines. Presenting, the new CPR guidelines which feature no rescue breaths! Here’s the basic idea.
CPR used to involve complicated patterns of mouth to mouth breathing and compressions. The latest data however shows that the lungs already have enough oxygen in them to sustain life, without having to give additional breaths. BUT, you still have to circulate the blood to deliver oxygen to vital organs until more definitive medical treatment can restore a normal heart rhythm.
You must act quickly to ensure the survival of the victim as the lack of oxygen flowing to the brain, can cause permanent brain damage and lifelong incapacitaion in about 5 minutes. After 10 minutes without oxygen to the brain and vital organs, the victim may die. The following is a general guidleline and overview of the latest CPR techniques as outlined by the American Heart Association. I recommend you take a CPR certification class to ensure your skills.
ADULT Hands on Only CPR
Most important: Make sure the victim doesn’t have a pulse! Put you ear on his chest if you have to!
Position the patient on their back.
Place the heel of one hand over the center of the person’s chest, between the nipples. Place your other hand on top of the first hand. Keep your elbows straight and position your shoulders directly above your hands.
Use your upper body weight (not just your arms) as you push straight down on (compress) the chest 1 1/2 to 2 inches. Push hard and push fast – give two compressions per second, or about 100 compressions per minute.
CHILD CPR for children 1 through 8: Use only one hand to perform heart compressions.
