(Accredited) CPR / AED / FIRST AID

General Concepts Part 1

• Chest Compressions are the most critical aspect of out of hospital CPR. If done properly chest compressions can keep blood flowing to the victims brain which can keep brain tissue alive until advanced care arrives.

• Compressions for all victims should be done at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.

• You must compress a victim’s chest all the way to the stopping point in order to cause adequate circulation. That is roughly 2 inches for an adult or child, and about 1.5 inches for an infant.

General Concepts Part 2

• You must assess the victim for no longer than 10 seconds to determine if they are breathing or not. If they are not breathing, gasping, or if you are not sure if they are breathing, you need to begin compressions.

• You are not required to give mouth to mouth breaths to a victim. If you do choose to give breaths to a victim you need to make sure they are not too fast, large, or forceful, as this will cause gastric inflation (stomach filling with air) which will make them vomit. Give normal gentle breaths and only enough to make the chest begin to rise.

• As soon as an AED arrives you must attach it by opening it, turning it on, and following the voice prompts. Note: if you cannot hear the AED look for visual cues. All AED’s operate in the same manner: open it, turn it on, attach the pads, clear the victim so the AED can analyze, shock if advised and resume compressions. If no shock is advised you resume compressions. (You will learn how to use an AED later in the course)

Video of Scene Assessment

Video of Adult Compressions

Video of Breaths for Adults or Children

Breaths for Adults and Children (Part 1)

• Mouth-to-Mouth breaths are NOT required because it can be dangerous for you if bodily fluid enters into your mouth.

• If you do not want to perform mouth-to-mouth breaths you should rest for no longer than 10 seconds after completing 30 compressions and then resume CPR with compressions.

• If you choose to perform mouth-to-mouth breaths you should pinch the victim’s nose closed, tilt the head back, seal your lips over the victim’s mouth and give 2 breaths.

• You first want to open the victims airway with a head-tilt-chin-lift. You do this by providing pressure to the forehead to push it back while grasping the bony edge of the jaw with the other hand/fingers to pull the chin so you hopefully relieve any airway obstruction.

• Note: remove any objects in the mouth, if visible, before attempting breaths.

Breaths for Adults and Children (Part 2)

• When giving breaths you only want to give enough breath to see the chest rise. The volume of breath will depend on the size of the victims lungs. Deliver the breaths at a normal and gentle pace.

• If you feel resistance as you attempt to give a breath you must quickly readjust the head-tilt-chin-lift and attempt a second breath. Regardless of the outcome you must resume compressions after 2 attempts at breaths.

WARNING!!

• If breaths are delivered to fast or forceful you will cause air to enter the stomach and this will cause the victim to vomit. This will also occur if you give breaths past the point of initial chest rise.

AED Video

Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for Adults & Children over 55lbs

An AED, which is the abbreviation for an Automated External Defibrillator, is a portable device that can significantly raise the victim’s chances of survival. An AED will analyze a victim’s heart to see if it is in an abnormal rhythm, and if it is, the AED will prompt you to push the shock button. The shock will eliminate that rhythm and a normal rhythm can hopefully be restored.

All AED’s have the same basic steps of operation:

1. Open up the machine

2. Turn it on

3. Attach the electrode pads

4. Clear the victim so the AED can analyze their heart rhythm

5. Press the shock button if advised, and then resume CPR beginning with chest compressions

6. If the AED does not advise a shock you should immediately resume CPR starting with chest compressions

AED for Infants Video