Basic Cardiac Life Support Guidelines

Contributor
By Valarie Juntunen, eHow Contributing Writer
Article Rating: (2 Ratings)
Facebook
Twitter
StumbleUpon
Email
Print
Share

Facebook
Twitter
Add to Favorites
Email
Print
Share

Email
Facebook
Twitter
Add to Favorites
Print
Share

Chest Compressions

Basic cardiac life support is a combination of CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation,

with Automated External Defibrilator (AED) training. Basic cardiac life support differs
from advanced cardiac life support, in that it may be taught to members of the public,
because it requires little to no specialized equipment and no administering of
medications. Therefore, you must always summon more advanced medical assistance
prior to starting any rescue attempt with basic cardiac life support.

Assessing
1. The first step in any rescue attempt is to assess the situation for danger. Look for
sources of electrocution, such as a downed power line, or for other dangers such
as traffic. Take action to remove any dangers prior to assessing the victim.

Shake the victim while calling out loud. If there is no response, place your ear
right above the mouth and nose and check for breathing. Respirations may be
agonal, or slow and nonrhythmic, or they may be absent in a cardiac emergency.
Tilt the victim's head back, pinch the nose and give two breaths, watching to make
sure the chest rises. If there is no response, begin CPR. A pulse check is not
recommended for community rescuers, only medical professionals.

Chest Compressions
2. In 2005, the American Heart Association changed its recommendations to place
a greater emphasis on chest compressions. To begin compressions, place your
hands in the middle of the chest, over the sternum. It is no longer recommended to
find placement markers, as the key to survival is immediate initiation of CPR.
Place one hand palm down in the center of the chest, between the nipples. Cover
it with your other hand and lace your fingers together. Rise up above the victim so
that your arms are straight and your weight rests over your hands. Using your
entire body, compress the chest wall approximately 2 inches. Always remember to
allow the chest wall to fully rise after each compression. The compressions should
be given at a rate approximate to 100 compressions a minute and should not be
stopped for any length of time. Immediately return to compressions after
respirations, shocks or other interruptions.

Respirations
3. As of 2005, the recommended American Heart Association ratio is 30 chest
compressions to two breaths. After administering 30 chest compressions, tilt the
head back to open the airway and give two breaths of approximately 1 second
each. You should see the chest wall rise with each breath. If not, retilt the head
and attempt again, making sure to get a good seal around the victim's mouth.
Once the breaths have been given, resume chest compressions.

AEDs

4.
 AED Pad Positioning

In most cases, the only way a person will survive a cardiac event is quick
intervention with a defibrillator which is why it is important to summon help
before initiating CPR. In many public buildings, such as airports, there are
automated external defibrillators (or AEDs). These machines are designed for
community rescuers to use and contain an on-board computer that directs the
rescuer.

Once obtaining an AED, immediately turn on the device and follow directions.
Place the two pads on the chest wall, following the diagram. Back away from the
victim and insure no one else is touching the victim. Once connected to the victim
the machine will analyze the electrical rhythm of the victim's heart and determine
if defibrillation is appropriate. If so, recheck to make sure no one is touching the
victim and then push the button on the machine as directed. If the machine
advises against shock, return to CPR, leaving the machine hooked up. Reassess
the patient after every fifth cycle of chest compressions.

Basic Life Support Guidelines and

Algorithms

Contributor
By Laura Grasso, eHow Contributing Writer
Article Rating: (0 Ratings)
Facebook
Twitter
StumbleUpon
Email
Print
Share

Facebook
Twitter
Add to Favorites
Email
Print
Share

Email
Facebook
 Twitter
Add to Favorites
Print
Share

A country's medical associations can provide guidelines for people attempting to

rescue victims of choking, drowning, cardiac arrest and some other emergencies.
Algorithms for basic life support are designed to help people save lives when they don't
have immediate access to medical professionals or equipment. In 2005 in the U.S., the
American Heart Association published its BLS algorithm.

Simple Algorithm for Bystanders

1. If you encounter an unconscious, unresponsive person, you may be able to
prevent catastrophe by administering BLS. The first step is always to call 911 or
the emergency network in your area. Ideally, ask someone else to call so you can
begin helping the victim. If the person is not already lying on his back, carefully
reposition him. Use both of your hands to tilt the victim's head back and lift the
chin, opening the airway. Check for breathing for 10 seconds. If you are certain
the victim isn't breathing, close his nose with one hand and give two mouth-to-
mouth breaths, ensuring the victim's chest rises and falls. Next, check for a pulse
for 10 seconds. If there is a pulse, give one breath every five to six seconds (every
two to three seconds for children), and make sure the victim continues to have a
pulse every two minutes. If there is no pulse, give 30 chest compressions, then
two breaths. Repeat the cycle until help arrives. Chest compressions should be
administered very firmly, in the center of the chest, with your elbows locked, and
at a rate of about 100 per minute.

Complications
2. Providing BLS to an unconscious person isn't usually easy, especially if you're not
sure what happened to the victim. If the artificial breaths you administer do not
cause the victim's chest to rise and fall, there may be something blocking the
victim's airway. Open his mouth and look for foreign objects. If you can see an
obstruction, use the finger sweep method to attempt removal. If you cannot see
anything blocking the airway, is it not advisable to do a "blind" finger sweep; you
could push an object further into the victim's throat. Chest thrusts may be
effective in removing the object.

The method used to open the airway before administering life support is called the
"head tilt/chin lift" technique, moving the head back and the chin up. If you
suspect that victim has sustained a spinal injury, use care not to exacerbate it.
Ascertain that the person isn't breathing or has no pulse before attempting to
reposition him, and then be extremely careful with the head tilt/chin lift technique.
 Warnings
3. Training in BLS is available from many sources. To ensure you would be able to
help in an emergency situation, take professional training. Stay abreast in rescue
techniques by reviewing what you know often; not only would you want to recall
them easily in an emergency, but recommendations sometimes change.