CPR and BLS (adults)

Adult Chain of Survival

Used when an adult goes into cardiac arrest in hospital or out of hospital. There are 2 different kinds.  

In-Hospital Chain of Survival (IHCS)

• prevention

• recognition

• high quality CPR

• AED

• post cardiac arrest care

Out-of-hospital chain of survival

• Recognition

• CPR

• AED

• advanced life support

• post cardiac arrest care

Assesing scene

First step for any scenario, don’t become a victim yourself. If scene is unsafe, move person if you can

Primary assesment

Do this after calling 911 and acknowledging that a person is unconscious or has no response.

• check for pulse and breathing for no longer that 10 seconds

• place two or three fingers on carotid artery

• tilt head back and watch chest for breathing

Agonal graps/breathing

Agonal gasps are not a sign of life, they are not true breaths. Often they sound like snorts, snore, or groan. It is very weak, continue cpr if this happens.

Rescue breathing

Used when victim has a pulse, but is not breathing properly. Related to breathing conditions.

• for adults the ratio is 1 breath every 6th seconds for 20 reps

• reassess after 2 minutes or 20 reps (the 20 reps should be around 20 minutes if counting properly)

Gastric inflation

Happens when breaths are being given too fast or too harshly. It is when the stomach fills up with air instead of the lungs.

Compression to breath rate for CPR

30:2

Compression rate

100 to 120 bpm

Depth for adult cpr

2 inches (5cm)

What does allow the chest to recoil allow?

It allows proper blood flow to the heart, if you don’t allow chest to properly recoil, it will reduce blood flow

2 methods to keep airwar open

• head tilt-chin lift

• jaw-thrust

Jaw-thrust maneuver

used when victim is suspected of having spinal injury

Anterolateral pad position

Pads are placed on the upper right and lower left of victims chest

Anetoposterior

Pads are placed on front and back of victim

Where do you place AED pads if victim has a pacemaker?

Avoid placing pads on pacemaker, if you place it directly on pacemaker, AED will not deliver proper shocks

How to deal with transdermal medication patches

Don’t place pads directly on medication pads. Remove patch if you can because they may block proper shock from being delivered