CPR Basics and Techniques

Study Notes

CPR is a critical life-saving technique used to artificially maintain both circulation and ventilation in individuals experiencing cardiac respiratory arrest.
The goal is to keep the individual alive until advanced medical help arrives.

CPR aims to establish effective circulation and respiration.
The objective is to ensure oxygenated blood is delivered to the body by facilitating carbon dioxide and oxygen exchange.
CPR helps prevent irreversible brain damage.

Perform a quick visual assessment of the patient.
Verify patient responsiveness, open the airway, and simultaneously check for breathing and a carotid pulse.
These checks should last for at least 5 seconds but no more than 10 seconds.
If the person is unresponsive, not breathing normally, and lacks a pulse, shout for help and send someone to call emergency medical services (EMS) and locate an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
Initiation of CPR should begin within 30 seconds.

Place the patient on a firm, flat surface like a bed or floor.
Ensure the bed is at an appropriate working height, and lower the side rails closest to you.

Expose the patient's chest to ensure proper hand placement and see chest recoil.
Place the heel of one hand in the center of the patient's chest on the lower half of the sternum.
Position your other hand on top of the first hand, interlacing your fingers or holding them upright to avoid pressure on the chest.

Compress the chest to a depth of at least 2 inches (5-6 cm) for adults.
Aim for a compression rate of 100 to 120 per minute, ensuring smooth, consistent compressions.
Allow the chest to fully recoil after each compression.

Begin chest compressions (firm and fast) within 10 seconds.
Allow complete chest recoil between each compression.
Minimize interruptions during compressions.
Ensure breaths make the chest rise.
Avoid excessive ventilation.
Assess for a shockable rhythm as soon as an AED is available for cardiac arrest.

Use an adult pocket mask for single-provider CPR or a bag valve mask (BVM) for multiple-provider CPR.
Seal the mask and simultaneously open the airway using the head-tilt/chin-lift technique.

Use the modified jaw-thrust maneuver when a head, neck, or spinal injury is suspected.

While maintaining a mask seal and open airway, provide smooth, effortless ventilations.
Each breath should last approximately 1 second and cause the chest to rise.
Avoid over-ventilation.

If ventilation is undesirable (due to concerns regarding airborne illness), hands-only CPR is an appropriate alternative.

One rescuer is responsible for calling EMS, obtaining the AED, connecting and operating it.
The other rescuer handles compressions and ventilation.
Switch roles every 2 minutes (5 cycles).

During multiple-provider CPR, smoothly switch positions every 5 cycles of compressions and breaths.
One cycle comprises 30 compressions and two breaths for adults, taking less than 10 seconds.

Follow the instructions provided by the AED.
Power on the device.
Correctly attach the pads.
Ensure clearing of individuals from the patient for AED analysis and shock delivery.
Repeat every 2 minutes.

Use the middle two or three fingers for compressions.
Utilize pediatric AED pads, placing them on the front and back of the chest.
Cover the infant's nose and mouth with your mouth during mouth-to-mouth breathing.