CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is administered to a person who has suffered cardiac arrest, drowning, injuries due to an accident or for any number of different scenarios. Most of the time, CPR is limited to the hospital setting, but there is always a chance that you may run into a situation where someone needs your help to survive. Most areas provide free CPR training. It is a good idea for everyone to have this skill.
Determining the Need for CPR
The steps for CPR vary depending on the age and size of the victim, but in every case, you must start by determining if the person is responsive. Gently shake the person, keeping in mind that he may have a head or back injury. If there is no response, call 911, or if someone is with you, have that person call. Next, you must determine whether they are breathing. Place one hand on the victim's forehead and the other hand under the chin. Gently tilt the head back. Hold you face very close to his mouth to feel if there is any breathing. If the victim is not breathing, give two breaths, watching to see if his chest rises. Then check his pulse by placing three fingers on the carotid artery. The carotid artery is found on either side of his neck. If you find they have no pulse, have someone call 911. If you are alone, quickly call 911 and begin CPR.
Steps
When you begin CPR, you must locate the correct place on the victim's chest to begin compressions. On adults and children older than 1 years old, the correct place to do the compressions is the center of the breastbone, between the two nipples. Place the heel of one hand in this area, intertwining your fingers while tilting your hand up. For an infant, place two fingers on the breastbone, just below the nipple. The depth of the compression is important, especially on an infant whose bones are very weak. For adults, you compressions should be 1 ½ to 2 inches deep. For a child or infant, the compressions should be 1/3 to ½ inches deep. The compression rate should be 100 per minute.
Compressions And Ventilations
As you are performing CPR on the victim, you must do a combination of compressions and ventilation. For an adult, do 30 compressions, then move up to the victim's mouth and tilt her head back gently and give two breaths. For the infant and child, do 30 compressions and one breath. Continue these steps until the victim begins breathing or help arrives. Saving someone's life is probably the most amazing feeling one will ever experience.
Tags: head back, carotid artery, compressions should, compressions should inches, correct place, give breaths