CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a life-saving procedure. It is basically performed in emergency situations when someone’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. This could happen as a result of a medical emergency like a heart attack, electric shock, or drowning. 

The goal of CPR is to maintain a person’s blood circulating until medical help arrives. Even if you don’t have any first aid training, you can save a life by following the CPR instructions.CPR is a technique that combines rescue breathing with chest compressions.

Types of CPR

There are generally two types of CPR that are widely used which are:

1. Hands only CPR

Pushing on the chest in a fast motion is used in this technique. Chest compressions are the term for these repetitive actions. Hands-only CPR can restart blood circulation and reduce the time it takes for blood to circulate throughout the body.

2. Traditional CPR with breaths

This technique, also known as CPR with Breathing, alternates chest compressions with mouth-to-mouth breathing. In the critical seconds, before support arrives, this sort of CPR can provide more oxygen to the body.

What all to keep in mind when giving a CPR

First of all understand that CPR procedures differ depending upon whether a person is an adult, a child, or a newborn. The basic difference is in,

• Infants: Chest compressions for infants in order to give CPR is performed with thumbs or fingers.                                                        

• Children: In children chest compressions are performed with one hand.

• Adults: chest compressions are performed with two hands in adults.

Hands-only CPR should be used by people who have never received CPR training or who have received it many years ago. It’s also ideal for individuals who have received CPR training but aren’t confident enough in the technique to assist someone who is having a cardiac arrest.

Adults and teenagers in distress should use hands-only CPR. Anyone in cardiac arrest, including adults, teenagers, adolescents, and newborns, should get traditional CPR.

Before performing a CPR

1. Call 112 or the emergency number in your region

Call for emergency support or ask others to do it. By the time you provide the first aid, it is important to make sure that paramedic support arrives.

2. Ensure it is a safe environment 

Keep an eye out for your own and other people’s safety. Hazards such as fire and road accidents may put your life in jeopardy.

3. Check the person’s consciousness

Try to wake the person by pats or taps on the shoulders and face. Ask if he or she is ok in a loud voice. 

4. Check the breathing

To clear the airway and establish if the patient is breathing, tilt the patient’s head back. Start CPR if the patient does not take a breath after 10 seconds.

How to do hands only CPR?

Only use hands-only CPR if an adult or teen is experiencing cardiac arrest. If the distressed individual is a youngster or infant, it is not advised.

1. Prepare for chest compressions.

Place the respective person on a firm and flat surface and kneel beside them.

2. Apply your body weight

Place your hands on the person’s middle part of the chest, right between the nipples. Keep your other hand over that hand and center all your weight on both hands.

3. Now perform chest compressions. 

Push hard, to a depth of at least 2 inches (but no deeper than 2.4 inches) and fast continue it twice per second until the person responds.

4. Continue the compressions

Rep the compression cycle until the individual regains consciousness or medical assistance arrives. If the individual starts to breathe, have them lie down softly on their side until medical help arrives.

How to do traditional CPR with breaths?

1. Perform chest compressions

Begin the chest compressions as mentioned before.

2. Open up the airway

Put the palm of your hand on the respective person’s forehead and tilt the head back. Now slowly lift their chin forward with your other hand. Adjust the position until the pathway is open.

3. Give breathes

Pinch the nostrils close while keeping the airway open, and cover the person’s mouth with a CPR face mask to create a seal. For babies, use the mask to cover both the mouth and the nose. If you don’t have a mask, create a seal on the person’s mouth with yours.

Give two rescue breaths, one lasting approximately one second.

Keep an eye out for their chest to lift with each breath. Reposition the person and try again if it doesn’t work.

4. Continue the compression with rescue breaths

Alternate 30 compressions with two rescue breaths until the victim starts breathing or medical help arrives.

If the individual starts breathing after the CPR have him or her lie on their side gently until medical treatment is available. Also, make sure that you have called for emergency medical support for the first time. For more help and support, contact us on 1800 889 2559.