❤️‍🩹First Aid Unit 3 – CPR and AED: Life-Saving Techniques

What's CPR and AED?

• CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, a life-saving technique used when someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped
• Involves chest compressions to keep blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs until further treatment can be given
• AED is an Automated External Defibrillator, a portable device that checks heart rhythm and can send an electric shock to the heart to restore normal rhythm
  • Used in cases of sudden cardiac arrest (heart suddenly stops beating)
• Both CPR and AED are crucial emergency procedures that can greatly increase the chance of survival for a person in cardiac arrest
• CPR and AED are often used together as part of the "chain of survival" in emergency cardiac care
• Knowing how to perform CPR and use an AED can make the difference between life and death in an emergency situation
• CPR and AED skills are valuable for anyone to learn, not just medical professionals

Why CPR and AED Matter

• Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death worldwide, with hundreds of thousands of cases occurring each year
  • Can happen to anyone at any time, often without warning
• CPR and AED greatly increase the chance of survival for a person in cardiac arrest
  • Brain damage can occur within minutes if blood flow stops, so quick action is crucial
• Performing CPR can double or triple a person's chance of survival
  • Keeps oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs
• Using an AED within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest can increase survival rates up to 90%
• Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by 7-10%
• Many cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital setting, so bystanders play a critical role in providing immediate help
• Learning CPR and AED skills empowers individuals to potentially save a life in an emergency situation

The ABCs of CPR

• The ABCs of CPR stand for Airway, Breathing, and Circulation
  • Represents the key steps in performing CPR
• Airway: Ensure the person's airway is open and clear of any obstructions
  • Tilt the head back and lift the chin to open the airway
  • Check for any visible objects blocking the airway and remove if possible
• Breathing: Check for breathing and provide rescue breaths if needed
  • Look, listen, and feel for any signs of breathing
  • If no breathing, provide two rescue breaths by pinching the nose and breathing into the mouth
• Circulation: Perform chest compressions to maintain blood circulation
  • Place hands on the center of the chest and compress to a depth of at least 2 inches
  • Compress at a rate of 100-120 per minute, allowing the chest to fully recoil between compressions
• The ABCs should be performed in a continuous cycle until emergency medical help arrives or the person starts breathing on their own
• Remember the mnemonic "CAB" (Compressions, Airway, Breathing) to prioritize chest compressions in the CPR sequence

Step-by-Step CPR Guide

• Assess the situation and ensure it is safe to approach the person
• Check for responsiveness by tapping the person and shouting "Are you okay?"
  • If no response, call for emergency medical help or ask someone else to call
• Check for breathing by looking for chest movement, listening for breath sounds, and feeling for air
  • If no breathing, begin CPR
• Perform 30 chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute
  • Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest and the other hand on top
  • Compress to a depth of at least 2 inches, allowing the chest to fully recoil between compressions
• After 30 compressions, open the airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin
• Give two rescue breaths by pinching the nose and breathing into the mouth
  • Each breath should last about one second and make the chest visibly rise
• Continue the cycle of 30 compressions and two breaths until emergency medical help arrives or the person starts breathing on their own
• If you are not trained in giving rescue breaths, perform continuous chest compressions without pausing for breaths
• Remember to switch roles with another rescuer if possible to avoid fatigue

AED Basics and Usage

• AED is a portable device that analyzes heart rhythm and can deliver an electric shock to restore normal rhythm
• Can be used by anyone, even without medical training
  • Device provides voice and visual prompts to guide the user through each step
• First, make sure the scene is safe and the person is unresponsive with no breathing
• Turn on the AED and follow the prompts
  • Device will instruct you to apply electrode pads to the person's bare chest
• AED will analyze the heart rhythm and determine if a shock is needed
  • If a shock is advised, make sure no one is touching the person and press the shock button
  • If no shock is advised, resume CPR
• Continue following the AED prompts and performing CPR until emergency medical help arrives or the person starts breathing on their own
• AEDs are designed to be safe and will not deliver a shock unless it detects a shockable rhythm
• Many public places (offices, schools, airports) have AEDs available for emergency use

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not calling for emergency medical help before starting CPR
  • Crucial to get professional help on the way as soon as possible
• Not checking for responsiveness or breathing before starting CPR
  • CPR should only be performed on someone who is unresponsive and not breathing
• Performing compressions too slowly or not deep enough
  • Compressions should be at a rate of 100-120 per minute and a depth of at least 2 inches
• Not allowing the chest to fully recoil between compressions
  • Chest must be allowed to return to its normal position for blood to refill the heart
• Interrupting compressions for too long
  • Minimize interruptions in compressions to maintain consistent blood flow
• Not opening the airway properly before giving rescue breaths
  • Head must be tilted back and chin lifted to ensure an open airway
• Not using an AED as soon as one becomes available
  • AED should be used as early as possible for the best chance of survival
• Touching the person while the AED is analyzing the heart rhythm or delivering a shock
  • No one should be in contact with the person to avoid interference or injury

Practice Scenarios

• Scenario 1: You see a coworker collapse and become unresponsive in the office breakroom. What should you do?
  • Check for responsiveness and breathing, call for emergency help, and begin CPR if needed. Send someone to retrieve an AED if available.
• Scenario 2: You're at a shopping mall and hear someone yelling for help. You find a person lying on the ground, not breathing. How do you respond?
  • Call for emergency help, check for breathing, and start CPR. Ask someone to locate an AED and bring it to the scene.
• Scenario 3: You're at home and your elderly neighbor knocks on your door, clutching their chest and struggling to breathe. What actions should you take?
  • Help the neighbor sit or lie down, call emergency services, and be prepared to perform CPR if their condition worsens. Stay with them until help arrives.
• Scenario 4: You're at a community pool and see a child being pulled from the water, unresponsive. The lifeguard begins CPR. How can you assist?
  • Call emergency services if not already done, retrieve an AED if available, and offer to help with CPR by alternating rounds of compressions with the lifeguard.
• Practicing scenarios helps build confidence and preparedness for real-life emergencies
  • Consider taking a CPR and AED certification course for hands-on training and practice

Key Takeaways and Tips

• CPR and AED are crucial life-saving techniques that can greatly increase the chance of survival for a person in cardiac arrest
• The ABCs of CPR stand for Airway, Breathing, and Circulation
  • Ensure an open airway, check for breathing, and perform chest compressions
• Perform CPR in cycles of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until help arrives or the person starts breathing
• Use an AED as soon as one becomes available, following the device's voice and visual prompts
• Minimize interruptions in chest compressions and ensure compressions are deep and fast enough
• Call for emergency medical help immediately and before starting CPR
• Be prepared to perform CPR and use an AED in any setting, not just in medical facilities
• Consider taking a CPR and AED certification course for hands-on training and practice
• Refresh your skills regularly to maintain proficiency and stay updated on any changes in guidelines
• Remember, performing CPR and using an AED can make the difference between life and death in an emergency situation
  • Your quick action and willingness to help can save a life