- Performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) can help save a life, often the life of a family member or someone you know.
- If the patient is not breathing you need to give CPR.
- In an emergency situation remember DRSABCD : Danger, Response, Send for Help, Airway, Breathing, Circulation and Defibrillation
D: Check for Danger
Look for danger to yourself, bystanders and the patient. If able to do so, remove the patient from danger or the danger from the patient without putting yourself at risk.
For example: removing the patient away from a fire.
R: Check for a Response
Identify if the patient is conscious, by asking the patient questions such as “open your eyes”, “can you hear me” while gently shaking their shoulders.
If conscious reassure the patient and seek medical advice
S: Send for HELP
If unconscious carefully roll the patient onto their side, (this is called the recovery position) ensuring that you support the patient’s neck. If the patient is in a motor vehicle, gently tilt the head back.
A: Check the Airway
Open airway by tilting patient’s head back and lifting the chin. Do not perform a head tilt on babies or injured patients.
Check that the airway is not blocked; this is done by sweeping the mouth with your fingers removing any solid pieces of food or other things, and letting any fluid drain out.
If this simple manoeuvre is unsuccessful in opening a patient’s airway you need to get someone to call an ambulance immediately.
B: Check Breathing ‘look, listen and feel’
Look for the rise and fall of the chest
Listen for breath sounds from their mouth or nose
Feel for the rise and fall of chest
If the patient is breathing keep the patient on their side (recovery position). Remain with the patient while continuing to monitor the patient and check the breathing and pulse every few minutes until Ambulance arrives.
If the patient is not breathing, the first-aider should only roll the unconscious person onto their side if there is foreign material present in the mouth. Open the airway by tilting patient’s head back and after lifting their chin, commence rescue breathing as follows:
- ADULT – pinch the patient’s nostrils and seal your mouth over patient’s mouth and give 2 full breaths
- CHILD – use 2 smaller breaths for a child
- BABY – seal your mouth over the baby’s mouth and nose and give 2 quick puffs
In each case ensure that the chest rises and falls with each breath.
C: Check Circulation
First aiders are no longer required to check for a pulse when managing an unconscious patient who is not breathing.
They should commence rescue breathing as follows:
- ADULT – 2 breaths in about 2 seconds
- CHILD – 2 breaths in about 2 seconds
- BABY – 2 breaths (puffs) in about 2 seconds
Ensure that the patient’s chest rises and falls with each breath and commence CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation).
- ADULT – Position the heel of one hand on the centre of the lower half of breastbone (sternum) while grasping the wrist with your other hand.
- CHILD– Position the heel of one hand on the centre of the lower half of the breastbone (sternum)
- BABY – Position 2 fingers in the centre of the breastbone (sternum) just between the nipples
Give 2 breaths to every 30 compressions (at 100 compressions per minute).
Compress chest to 1/3 of its depth.
If pulse returns but the person has no breathing continue rescue breathing until Ambulance arrives.
Always stay with the person until help arrives
Keep the ‘000’ (Ambulance dispatcher) informed of persons condition
(if possible, ask someone to do this for you)
Check for any visible signs of injury and if present;
Control severe bleeding by applying direct pressure to the affected area (take care to not come in direct contact with blood)
Support broken bones (fractures) through immobilisation of the limb
Prevent further injuries to the casualty
Perform CPR
After delivering the shock, or if no shock is advised:
- Perform about 2 minutes (or 5 cycles) of CPR.
- Continue to follow the prompts of the AED.
TIPS:
- If at any time you notice an obvious sign of life, stop CPR if casualty regain consciousness; emergency services have arrived and taken over; you are physically exhausted and cannot continue.
If two trained responders are present, one should perform CPR while the second responder operates the AED.