WEEK 14

Basic life support (BLS)

refers to the care provided by emergency personnel, medical experts, and trained personnel for individuals experiencing cardiac arrest, respiratory distress, or airway obstruction

Airways

In first aid, we usually refer to the person who has been injured as a casualty rather than a victim

Breathing

The Primary Survey is the first step in assessing the casualty.

Circulation

Before evaluating the casualty, conduct an emergency scene survey and call for assistance.

CPR

involves rescue breathing and chest compressions to temporarily pump blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available, with chest compressions being the topmost priority

STEP 1

Check the scene and call 911

STEP 2

Assess the casualty’s pulse and breathing

STEP 3

Give 30 chest compressions

STEP 4

Give 2 rescue breaths 5.

STEP 5

Repeat the 30:2 ratio

STEP 1: Circulation

Place the baby gently on a flat surface, like a table or the floor. CPR should always be done placing the victim on a flat surface.

STEP 1: Circulation

Gently place two of your fingers in the middle of the chest of the baby. To understand the exact point, imagine seeing a horizontal line going through the chest of the baby, dividing his/her nipples! You need to pace your fingers (2 fingers of one hard) in the center of the chest just below this horizontal line!

STEP 1: Circulation

With the help of two fingers, gently compress the chest of the baby. Dig your fingers about 1.5 inches deep into the chest and pump about 100 compression within a minute, that is about 16 compressions per 10 seconds. You can also count aloud to keep a track.

STEP 2: Airways

After the compressions to restore blood circulation in the infant, the next step would be to clear the airways of the infant allowing him/her to breath. You can do this after 30 compressions by gently tilting the head of the infant back by lifting his/her chin with one hand and pushing the forehead down the other hand.

STEP 2: Airways

Make sure that you don’t tilt the head way too much. It may prove to be harmful for the infant.

STEP 2: Airways

Within 10 seconds of lifting the chin of the infant, check for movements in the chest and breathing. Do this by placing your ears and cheeks in front of the baby’s mouth and nose.

STEP 3: Breathing

If there are still no signs of breathing, then the next step would be to cover the infant’s nose and mouth with your mouth and provide the infant with the rescue breathing!

STEP 3: Breathing

Slowly breathe into the infant and blow gentle puffs of air by taking a second for a single breath! While you do this, also check for the rise in the infant’s chest

STEP 3: Breathing

If you see the bay’s chest rising, then give the second rescue breath. If the chest is not rising, then you will have to repeat Step #2 and then again go for the rescue breathing!

STEP 3: Breathing

It is advisable to give the infant two rescue breaths within a period of every 30 compressions. Continue to do this until help arrives!

➢ Pallor mortis

paleness of the skin which happens in the 15–120 minutes after death

➢ Livor mortis

settling of the blood in the lower, or dependent, portion of the body, causing a purplish red discoloration of the skin. (bruise-like)

➢ Algor mortis

– the body turn cold

➢ Rigor mortis

– stiffness of the limbs