CARDIO-PULMONARY RESUSCITATION        

What should I know about it?

• Everyone should learn CPR because it could help save a life during an emergency.
• Cardiac Resuscitation and artificial respiration are among the two most important life-saving first-aid techniques.
• Non-medical personnel and ordinary public can learn the technique effectively with minimal training. For more information, contact your nearest Red Cross office.

Common situations in which CPR is a life saving measure:

• Heart Attack
• Choking
• Drowning
• Electric shock (see special comments )
• Suffocation

How do I revive the patient?

Principals of Resuscitation

• Act decisively and confidently. Time element is critical. Call out for help.
• Remember the ABC's of CPR (in order of importance)
• Check :
  a) Airway
  b) Breathing
  c) Circulation
• Institute CPR immediately in a witnessed collapse.
• Establish the status of breathing - Has it stopped ?
• Clear mouth, and hold head back.
• Check for pulse.
• Determine unconsciousness.
• Be mindful of cervical spine injury.
• Place the patient supine (on his back) on a firm surface.

Airway:

Place the hand on the back of the neck and lift the head and neck slightly upward to bring the chin up. Clear mouth and shift the tongue away. Remove dentures, wipe away vomit with handkerchief. Establish that breathing has stopped (eyeglasses will mist with breathing).

Breathing:

Give the "kiss of life": If the patient does not breathe spontaneously, start mouth to mouth breathing. Cover the patient's mouth with your mouth and pinch his/her nose closed. Take a deep breath and seal your lips around the outside of patient' mouth. Give four quick breaths in rapid succession to allow the chest to rise. Disengage mouth seal but keep your ear close to the patient's nose. You should feel and hear air leaving patient's mouth and see the chest sink. Then proceed to give single breaths each time, just hard enough to raise the chest. Continue in this manner, alternating with cardiac massage.

Circulation:

• Feel the carotid artery pulse in the neck.
• If present, and there is no breathing, continue rescue breathing at the rate of 12 per minute after the initial 4 breaths. If pulse is absent, strike the sternum sharply with the closed fist, and start cardiac resuscitation.

·         Place heel of the hand on the front chest mid-bare (sternum) two finger breaths above the bottom tip (xiphoid), and place the other hand over it and interlock fingers. Keeping the elbows straight and waist higher than the patient's chest, lean the weight of your body towards the patient so as to compress the strenum by 2 inches and then suddenly release. Do not lift hands completely off the sternum. Perform 15 external cardiac compressions, then alternate with 2 breaths.

• Check for return of carotid pulse after 4 cycles of above. If absent, resume CPR.
• If pulse is present, continue ventilation alone. Do not interrupt CPR for more than 7 seconds.
• CPR must be carried out for at least 30 minutes before it is considered unsuccessful.

What next?

1. Send any onlookers for medical help. Call for ambulance services.
2. Ease any tight clothing.
3. Place patient in recovery position (one side arm and leg straightened, the other side arm and leg bent on the side face is turned towards while tying nearly on the stomach.)
4. Vomiting is common. Don't worry. Clear mouth after turning victim's head.
5. Keep the head tilted well back. Keep fingers clear off the patient's lips and neck.
6. Some special techniques and precautions are needed for children.

Note: You may print this information to keep handy for reference or for high-risk patients.