CPR History and Basics

Adult and Pediatric Basic Life Support

• Definition: Supporting the respiratory and circulatory system by maintaining the airway opening and performing chest compressions.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) doubles or triples a cardiac arrest victim's chance of survival if given immediately.

History of CPR

• Early ages: Flagellation method, Heat method, and Inversion method
• 1770s: Bellows method, Barrel method, and Russian method
• 1800s: Trotting Horse method, Leroy method, and Dalrymple method
• 1900s: Eisenmenger method, Holger Nielsen method, and Pole Top method
• 1950s: Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Emergency Situations

• Examples: Arrest, Anaphylaxis, Foreign body aspiration, Syncope, Bleeding, and more
• Intervention is required before diagnosis is clear, and basic principles can be remembered to overcome emergencies

Importance of BLS

• Every individual, regardless of experience or education, can be a life saver
• Early BLS and early defibrillation (within 1-2 minutes) save more than 50% of patients (AHA 2020)

Cardiac Arrest

• First step: Early recognition of the event
• Rescuers must ensure the safety of the scene before intervening
• NALOXONE can be administered IM or IN to unresponsive patients in case of suspected opiate overdose, even for non-healthcare providers (lay rescuers) (Class 2B recommendation)

Chest Compressions

• The victim should be on a hard surface, in a supine position
• Rescuer should be in a kneeling position
• Place the heel of one hand on the sternum and the other hand on top of the first, fingers interlaced
• Press down, compressing the chest at least 5-6 cm, and release the chest to allow it to recoil completely
• Universal rhythm for compressions: Bee Gees – Stayin’ Alive (100-120 per minute)

Airway - Breathing

• Fallen back tongue is the common cause for airway obstruction in an unresponsive victim
• Head tilt – chin lift, and Jaw thrust are maneuvers used to overcome airway obstruction
• Head tilt is contraindicated in a trauma victim where Jaw thrust is the choice

Rescue Breaths

• Pinch the patient's nostrils closed to assist with an airtight seal
• Put the mouth completely over the patient's mouth
• Give each breath for approximately 1 second with enough force to make the patient's chest rise
• Failure to observe chest rise indicates an inadequate mouth seal or airway occlusion
• Rescue breaths should be performed by all trained rescuers in pediatric arrests, arrests due to asphyxia, and prolonged CPR

Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

• Defibrillation is a process in which an electronic device gives an electrical shock to the heart
• An AED is a device that analyzes a heart rhythm and prompts the user to deliver a shock when necessary
• AEDs are small, portable, and easy to use, with audio instructions

Public Access Defibrillators

• These devices are available for public use in emergency situations

Recovery Position

• Video link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rA_5EkguGrec7zBN1bEDygn3E3dwsuoK/view?usp=sharing

Choking

• Choking often occurs during eating or drinking, when solid food lodges in the pharynx or larynx or when liquid is inhaled into the larynx and trachea
• The universal sign for choking is hands clutched to the throat
• Signs of choking: unable to talk, unable to breathe, unable to cough, wide-eyed panicked look, loss of consciousness, skin, lips, or nails turn blue or dusky
• Treatment: Back Blows and Heimlich Maneuver

Pediatric BLS

• Checking Pulse:

Learn about the history of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and its importance in saving lives. Understand the basics of CPR and its techniques.