CPR for person over 8 years
Alternative names:
rescue breathing, chest compressions - for adults; resuscitation,
cardiopulmonary - for adults
First aid:
- Check for consciousness. Shake or tap the victim gently.
See if the victim moves or makes a noise. Shout, "Are you
OK?"
If there is no response, shout for help.
Position the victim on his or her back on a hard surface,
keeping the back in a straight line, supporting the head
and neck. Unfasten the victim's clothing if necessary to
gain access to the victim's chest.
Kneel next to the victim's chin. Tilt the head back and
lift the jaw forward to move the tongue away from the windpipe.
If a spinal injury
is suspected, pull the jaw forward without moving the head
or neck. Don't let the victim's mouth close.
Place your ear close to the victim's mouth and watch for
chest movement. For 5 seconds, look, listen, and feel for
breathing.
If the victim is not breathing, begin rescue breathing.
Maintain the head position, close the victim's nostrils
by pinching them with your thumb and index finger, and cover
the victim's mouth tightly with your mouth. Give two slow,
full breaths.
If the chest does not rise, reposition the head and give
two more breaths. If the chest still doesn't rise, the victim's
airway is blocked. Follow instructions for choking
(for unconscious adult or child over 1 year).
If the victim's chest does rise, place two fingers on the
victim's Adam's apple. Slide your fingers into the groove
between the Adam's apple and the muscle on the side of their
neck to feel for a pulse
for 5 to 10 seconds.
If the victim has a pulse, give 1 breath every 5 seconds.
Check the pulse after every 12 breaths.
Be sure the local emergency number has been called. Have
someone else make the call if possible. Continue giving
breaths and checking the pulse.
If the victim has no pulse,
begin chest compressions. Maintain the head position and
place the heel of your hand 2 finger-widths above the lowest
notch of the victim's breastbone (where the lower edge of
the ribcage meets in the middle). Place the heel of your
other hand directly over the heel of the first hand. Interlock
your fingers; don't let them touch the victim's chest. Lock
your elbows straight. Lean your shoulders over your hands,
and firmly press down about 2 inches into the victim's chest.
Repeat the compressions 15 times. Give the compressions
in a smooth, rhythmic manner, keeping your hands on the
victim's chest. Don't rock back and forth - push straight
down. Don't pause between compressions.
Give the victim 2 breaths, followed by 15 chest compressions.
Count aloud as you pump in a regular rhythm. You should
pump at a rate of about 80 to 100 times a minute. Count
1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and...up to 15 and then breathe, breathe.
Recheck the victim's pulse for 5 to 10 seconds.
Repeat steps 12 and 13 until the victim's pulse resumes
or help arrives. If the pulse resumes, go to step 9.
Once pulse and respiration
resume, role the person onto his side taking care to move
the body as a whole unit. This is called the recovery position,
but it should not be used if you suspect there might be
a neck or spinal injury. Stay by the person until help arrives.
Do not:
- DO NOT give chest compressions if there is a heartbeat;
doing so may cause the heart to stop beating.
- DO NOT move the victim's head or neck to check for breathing
if a spinal injury
is suspected.
Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if:
- You are not alone, have one person call the local emergency
number while another person begins CPR.
- You are alone, shout for help and administer CPR.
Updated Date: 02/09/00
Updated By:J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director,
Utah Health Informatics and adam.com
editorial
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