What is CPR Training –
Steps to do CPR
The Importance of CPR
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is
also known as CPR. It is a lifesaving technique that aims to compress the chest
and heart so that blood can be pumped to the brain, albeit weakly. Main
function of CPR is to buys time until the paramedics arrive. If CPR is not
started within four to 10 minutes of a heart stopping, brain damage can develop
rapidly.
When an individual suffers an
out-of-hospital heart attack, his survival depends profoundly on receiving
immediate CPR from a bystander. However, according to the American Heart
Association (AHA), less than one-third of these individuals receive the help
they need. It is saddening as most bystanders are untrained in CPR and are
afraid, they will do wrong. Some untrained bystanders also believe CPR is only
done by medical personnel.
According to American Heart
Association (AHA) 2015, there are
FIVE simple steps to perform CPR –
DRCAB:
D – Danger
Make sure the surrounding is safe for the victim, the rescuer, and the bystanders.
R – Response
Check for the victim’s response –
tap the shoulder and ask “Are you OK?”.
If there is no response, ask for help to call 999 and get an Automated External Defibrillators (AED).
C – Chest Compressions
Make sure the victim is lying on a
flat surface.
Position yourself the side of the victim (if possible, your navel is parallel to the victim’s nipples)
Place the heel of one hand on the victim’s chest (lower half of the breastbone) and the other hand on top. Keep your arms straight when doing chest compressions. Push hard for at least 5 cm (2 inches) and not more than 6 cm (2.4 inches) for each compression. The compression rate is 100 to 120 per minute.
A – Airway
To open the victim’s airway, tilt the victim’s gently by using “Head Tilt – Chin Lift” method.
To open the victim’s airway, tilt the victim’s gently by using “Head Tilt – Chin Lift” method.
B – Breathing
Pinch the victim’s nose while doing
the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and check for the chest rise. Two rescue
breathing is need to complete one cycle of CPR.
A complete cycle of CPR consists of
30 compressions and 2 breathing. Perform CPR until ambulance arrives.
You should perform CPR until the
arrival of ambulance, until the victim is conscious, until you are too
exhausted or until the AED arrives.
According to Heart Stroke
Foundation of Canada (HSFC) a scientific statement published in Circulation:
Journal of the American Heart Association hands only CPR can also be used if
you are not convinced to perform mouth to mouth resuscitation to a stranger.
These are FIVE simple steps to
perform CPR, yet, the stigma of performing CPR by the bystander still hangs in
Malaysia. One of the main issues people resist CPR
training in Malaysia is because they do not know where to enroll for the
training. Skills for performing CPR deteriorate in as little as 3 to 6 months,
therefore refresher training is strongly recommended. Though an optimal
interval for refresher training has not been established, it is recommended
that training intervals of 12 to 24 months are not adequate. Refresher courses
may be needed as often as every 6 months to keep skills sharp. If you are
interested to enroll with any First Aid course, you can visit
www.certacademy.com.my.