Can you save a life?

In an emergency, when
every second is criticial, would you know what
to do?
According to recent statistics sudden cardiac arrest
is rapidly becoming the leading cause of death in
America. Once the heart ceases to function, a
healthy human brain may survive without oxygen
for up to 4 minutes without suffering any
permanent damage. Unfortunately, a typical EM
response may ta!e ", # or even $% minutes.
&t is during those critical minutes that '() can
provide oxygenated blood to the victim*s brain and
the heart, dramatically increasing his chance of
survival. And if properly instructed, almost anyone
can learn and perform '().
+et*s begin with CPR basics

C
PR TIME I!E
"#$ mins% brain damage
unlikely
$#& mins% brain damage
'ossible
&#(" mins% brain damage
'robable
over (" mins% 'robable brain
death

,he air we breathe in travels to our lungs where oxygen is pic!ed up by our
blood and then pumped by the heart to our tissue and organs. -hen a person
experiences cardiac arrest . whether due to heart failure in adults and the
elderly or an in/ury such as near drowning, electrocution or severe trauma in a
child . the heart goes from a normal beat to an arrhythmic pattern called
ventricular fibrillation, and eventually ceases to beat altogether.
,his prevents oxygen from circulating throughout the body, rapidly !illing cells
and tissue. &n essence, Cardio 0heart1 Pulmonary 0lung1 Resuscitation
0revive, revitali2e1 serves as an artificial heartbeat and an artificial respirator.
'() may not save the victim even when performed properly, but if started
within 4 minutes of cardiac arrest and defibrillation is provided within $%
minutes, a person has a 4%3 chance of survival.

circulatory system

&nvented in $4"%, '() is a simple but effective procedure that allows almost anyone to sustain life in the first
critical minutes of cardiac arrest. '() provides oxygenated blood to the brain and the heart long enough to
!eep vital organs alive until emergency e5uipment arrives.
,o ma!e learning '() easier, a system was devised that ma!es remembering it as simple as )#*#C+
) irway
* reathing
C irculation
+et*s begin by emphasi2ing the very first step of *asic ife ,u''ort
&t is critical to remember that dialing 4$$ may be the most important step you
can ta!e to save a life.

&f someone besides you is present, they should dial
4$$ immediately. &f you6re alone with the victim, try
to call for help 'rior to starting CPR on an adult
and after a minute on a child. 7efore we learn
what to do in an emergency, we must first
emphasi2e what not to do8
9O :O, leave the victim alone.
9O :O, try ma!e the victim drin! water.
9O :O, throw water on the victim*s face.
9O :O, prompt the victim into a sitting
position.
9O :O, try to revive the victim by slapping
his face.

Pro
vide o'erator with+
(% -our location
.% -our 'hone number
/% Ty'e of emergency
$% 0ictim1s condition

)lways remember to e2ercise solid common sense3
-hen faced with an emergency situation we may act impulsively and place
ourselves in harm*s way. Although time should not be wasted, only approach the
victim after determining that the scene is safe8 always chec! for any potential
ha2ards before attempting to perform CPR

American ;eart Association*s guidelines dictate that Adult '() is performed on
any person over the age of #. ,he procedure outlined in the following lessons is
similar to 'hildren '() and &nfant '(), although some critical differences apply.
7efore you start any rescue efforts, you must remember to chec! the victim for
res'onsiveness.
&f you suspect that the victim has sustained spinal or nec! in/ury, do not move or
sha!e him. Otherwise, sha!e the victim gently and shout <Are you o!ay=< to see
if there is any response. &f the victim is someone you !now, call out his name as
you sha!e him.
&f there is no response, immediately dial 4.$.$ and chec! the airway

)IR4)-
5)5 is for A&)-A>. &f the victim is unconscious and is
unresponsive, you need to ma!e sure that his airway
is clear of any obstructions. ,he breaths may be faint
and shallow . look, listen and feel for any signs of
breathing. &f you determine that the victim is not
breathing, then something may be bloc!ing his air
passage. ,he tongue is the most common airway
obstruction in an unconscious person.
-ith the victim lying flat on his bac!, place your hand
on his forehead and your other hand under the tip of

(%
Tilt head
the chin 0?igure $1. @ently tilt the victim*s head
bac!ward. &n this position the weight of the tongue
will force it to shift away from the bac! of the throat,
opening the airway 0?igure A1.
&f the person is still not breathing on his own after the
airway has been cleared, you will have to assist him
breathing
.%
6'en airway
*RE)T7I!8
5*5 is for 7)EA,;&:@. -ith the victim*s airway clear of any obstructions, gently
support his chin so as to !eep it lifted up and the head tilted bac!. (inch his nose
with your fingertips to prevent air from escaping once you begin to ventilate and
place your mouth over the victim*s, creating a tight seal 0?igure $1.
As you assist the person in breathing, !eep an eye on his chest. ,ry not to over.
inflate the victim*s lungs as this may force air into the stomach, causing him to
vomit. &f this happens, turn the person*s head to the side and sweep any
obstructions out of the mouth before proceeding.
@ive two full breaths. 7etween each breath allow the victim*s lungs to relax .
place your ear near his mouth and listen for air to escape and watch the chest fall
as the victim exhales 0?igure A1.
&f the victim remains unresponsive 0no breathing, coughing or moving1, chec! his
circulation
CIRC9)TI6!
5C5 is for '&)'U+A,&O:. &n order to determine if the
victim*s heart is beating, place two fingertips on his
carotid artery, located in the depression between the
windpipe and the nec! muscles 0?igure $1, and apply
slight pressure for several seconds.
&f there is no pulse then the victim*s heart is not
beating, and you will have to perform chest
com'ressions


(% Carotid artery
C6MPRE,,I6!,
-hen performing chest compressions, proper hand
placement is very important. ,o locate the correct
hand position place two fingers at the sternum 0the
spot where the lower ribs meet1 then put the heel of
your other hand next to your fingers 0?igure $1.
(lace one hand on top of the other and interlace the
fingers 0?igure A1. +oc! your elbows and using your
body*s weight, compress the victim6s chest. ,he

(%
ocate sternum
depth of compressions should be approximately $B
to A inches . remember8 . hands, . inches 0?igure
C1. &f you feel or hear slight crac!ing sound, you may
be pressing too hard. 9o not become alarmed and do
not stop your rescue effortsD 9amaged cartilage or
crac!ed ribs are far less serious then a lost life.
imply apply less pressure as you continue
compressions.
'ount aloud as you compress /" times at the rate of
about C compressions for every A seconds. ?inish the
cycle by giving the victim . breaths. ,his process
should be performed four times . C% compressions
and A breaths . after which remember to chec! the
victim*s carotid artery for pulse and any signs of
consciousness.
&f there is no pulse, continue performing $E
compressionsFA breaths, chec!ing for pulse after
every 4 cycles until help arrives.
.%
Pro'er hand 'lacement
/%
Two hands, two inches
&f you feel a pulse 0i.e. the victim*s heart is beating1 but the victim is still not
breathing, rescue breaths should be administered, one rescue breath every five
seconds 0remember to pinch the nose to prevent air from escaping1. After the
first rescue breath, count five seconds and if the victim does not ta!e a breath on
his own, give another rescue breath.
+et*s review

&n case of an emergency you may be the victim*s only chance of survival. Until an
ambulance arrives and professional assistance is available, you can increase that
chance by 4%3 simply by remembering and effectively administering 'ardio
(ulmonary )esuscitation.
$. 'hec! for responsiveness by shouting and sha!ing the victim. 9o not sha!e or
move the victim if you suspect he may have sustained spinal in/ury.
A. 'all 4.$.$.
C. )emember your A.7.'8
A irway8 tilt the head bac! and lift the nec! to clear the airway.
7 reathing8 pinch the victim*s nose and give A breaths, watching for the
chest to rise with each breath.
' irculation8 if there is no pulse, perform $E chest compressions . A hands,
A inches.
4. 'hec! for pulse and if necessary perform the cycle again.
'ongratulationsD >ou*ve completed the first step toward proficiency in 7+, so sit
bac!... relax... reward yourself with a good cup of coffeeD A brief 5ui2 that follows
is intended to reinforce what you*ve learned about Adult '() and we strongly
recommend that you ta!e and pass the test yourself before proceeding to the
next section.
Are you ready= +et*s go to the :ui;