Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

(CPR)

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the process of providing immediate assistance to someone who has stopped breathing. It involves opening the airway, restoring a steady rhythm of the heart and lungs, ventilating the lungs to obtain adequate oxygen flow, and clearing fluid from the airways. This can be done by mouth-to-mouth breathing with an artificial breathing device (breathing bag), or by mouth-to-mask ventilation with a mask that covers only the nose and mouth.

CPR types

There are two types of CPR: manual and automated. Automatic chest compressions, which use technology to help deliver a trial duration of chest compressions, can provide a better chance of survival when performed correctly.

Hands-only CPR.

Hands-only CPR (or "hands only" CPR) is a type of CPR that uses only the hands to provide rescue breathing and chest compressions. This technique can be used when a person is wearing bulky protective clothing, such as a backpack or jacket because the clothing will make it easier to use only your hands to perform rescue breathing and chest compressions. The goal of rescue breathing is to allow blood in the lungs to return to the heart where it can be pumped out again by the heart.

Traditional CPR with breaths.

The National Association for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (NACPR) describes traditional chest compressions and breaths as first aid. In response to this, many healthcare professionals have taken up this method of CPR for their patients. Traditional CPR is an effective treatment for someone who is still breathing and has a pulse but does not have a pulse because of neurological impairment that has stopped the heartbeat or can't get blood back into the heart due to extensive blood loss.

Importance of CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving technique that can be performed by any person with basic first aid/CPR training. CPR is commonly performed when someone has severe breathing problems or cardiac arrest occurs in circumstances where a defibrillator can't be used, such as outdoor activities and sporting events. If a person is not breathing and breathing is difficult (or nonexistent), it is necessary to "rescue" their heart so that heart tissue doesn't stop beating completely.

Performing hands-only CPR

Hands-only CPR (hands and fingers) may be performed by anyone. Hands-only CPR is often used when someone collapses and stops breathing. If a person is not breathing, you have to start chest compressions in order to get oxygen into the body.

Perform hands-only CPR by following the steps:

Survey the scene.

When performing hands-only CPR, the rescuer should survey the scene in front of him or her. The first step is to record whether anyone is conscious and responsive. This will help determine if medical assistance is needed. If no one is breathing or breathing rapidly, or if there is evidence of serious injury or illness (such as blue fingernails), CPR should be initiated.

Check the person for responsiveness.

Check the person for responsiveness. Perform chest compressions at a rate of 100 cycles per minute and at least two cycles if the person is not breathing. After doing two cycles of cheek-to-cheek, lift the ribs slightly to give more room for compressions. Continue chest compressions until paramedics arrive or until you feel the need to propel blood.

If the person isn’t responsive, seek immediate help.

If the person isn’t responsive, seek immediate help. If someone suffers from a heart condition, CPR might be necessary to save their life. Once you begin providing hands-only CPR on a victim, avoid performing chest compressions until you have confirmed that efforts to do so are unsuccessful and you are ready to call for help.

The heart is checked with an automated external defibrillator (AED).

The first step in performing CPR is to check the heart with an automated external defibrillator (AED). The AED will shock the patient with up to 2000 joules of energy. If no arrhythmia is detected, we perform hands-only CPR by following the steps below.

Place the heel of your hand over the uppermost part of the sternum and push down for 2 seconds. Make sure that you push firmly but not aggressively.

Place two fingers between your index finger and thumb, at a 90-degree angle from your middle finger.

Place your other hand on top of your first hand so that they form a triangle shape with your fingers pointing upwards.

Use your pointer finger and ring finger to compress hard at their tips while compressing the palm of that hand against the chest wall just below the sternum.

Locate hand position.

Locate the sternum. Place your hands on the patient's chest between their nipples, with your thumbs approximately two inches apart and your fingers spread apart. Your fingertips should be at right angles to the sternum.

Take a deep breath, then exhale as you push down on the patient's chest with a steady rhythm of 5 compressions per second. The rate may vary based on individual patient needs, but should not exceed 100 compressions per minute (CPM).

After each compression, release your finger pressure and then immediately start another compression with your other hand. Do this until emergency personnel arrives or you lose consciousness from low blood pressure.

Begin compressions.

1. Open the victim’s airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin.

2. Place your mouth over either side of the victim’s nose and blow forcefully into the victim’s mouth (if possible) to clear their airway of blood, vomit, or other materials that may obstruct breathing.

3. Begin compressions in a quick, steady manner by placing one hand on top of the other with your knuckles facing downward. Press down firmly and rapidly at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute (30-40 per second).

4. If you have an automated external defibrillator (AED) available, use it now to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm as soon as possible after starting chest compressions — no more than 3 minutes apart from when you start chest compressions (you should never wait for an AED to be tested).

Performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation

Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is a lifesaving technique that can be used to provide immediate artificial respiration and support for an unconscious person.

Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is performed by first making sure that the person's airway is clear. If possible, open the person's airway by tilting his/her head back and lifting up on the chin.

To perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, you will need to tilt the person's head back and press your lips firmly against his/her mouth while blowing air into his/her lungs. You will then need to repeat this process until the person regains consciousness or until he/she stops breathing on his/her own.

CPR with breaths: Steps for adults and teens

CPR with breaths is the most effective way to deliver chest compressions. The steps for adults and teens are:

1. Place the person in a sitting or standing position.

2. Check for choking and clear the airway by placing the person on his or her back, tilting their head back slightly, tilting their chin slightly down, and clearing their throat or mouth using a finger or two fingers. If unable to do so, call 911 or other emergency responders immediately.

3. Open the airways by placing two fingers at the base of your subject’s nose while you give two quick blows to their chest with your other hand, just below where nipples would be on an adult male (or above where nipples would be on an adult female). Give two more quick blows to the chest followed by one long slow compression to the heart (one full deep breath is taken after each compression). Continue doing three deep breaths followed by one quick blow per second (30 compressions per minute) for about 2 minutes until EMS arrives or basic life support skills are learned by a bystander who is trained in CPR/AED use.*

CPR with breaths: Steps for children

1. Shock, called pulseless electrical activity (PEA), is a condition that occurs when the heart and other organs are unable to provide enough blood to the body. When this happens, the brain, heart, and other organs lose oxygen and nutrients. The person may be pale, clammy, or have pale lips or fingernails.

2. When you first see an unconscious person who has stopped breathing or is not breathing normally, begin CPR by using chest compressions only:

Place one hand on top of his or her chest and use your other hand to press down on his or her back. Give 4 quick chest compressions (1 per second) for about 1 minute.

Release your hands from both sides of his chest, but keep your fingers curled so they can stay close together if necessary, during CPR. This makes it easier to deliver more precise compressions in case he starts breathing again suddenly while you're giving them.

If after 1 minute of CPR there is no response from him or her, continue giving 30 chest compressions over 2 minutes (30 compressions followed by 2 minutes of rescue breaths), but do not let up on pressure during this time period unless instructed otherwise by a trained healthcare professional.

CPR : These Steps for infants or babies.

The key to CPR is to get the heart pumping and get the blood flowing to the brain. This involves maintaining a good rhythm, using pressure on the chest, and delivering breaths.

Steps for infants and babies:

1. Check for airway obstruction. If there's no breathing, clear the airway by tilting the head back or tilting your chin down towards your chest if you're a man or placing one hand on top of your head in a cradle position if you're a woman. *

2. Put two fingers down at the base of your sternum (belly button). **

3. Place two fingers on each cheek (one behind each ear) and press firmly upwards toward the sky. *

Training for CPR and AED

CPR training is necessary for anyone who works in healthcare. The American Heart Association recommends that all healthcare staff receive CPR training every two years.

CPR and AED training is recommended for all staff, volunteers, and volunteers of a healthcare facility. CPR is a life-saving skill that can be performed by anyone who has the ability to give chest compressions. AEDs are devices that help save lives in cardiac arrest situations. CPR and AED training is available at many locations throughout the community.

CPR certification classes are offered by most hospitals and clinics, so you may already have access to this important training. If you do not have access to CPR certification training, there are several options available for you to take classes such as:

Local community programs

Hospitals

Clinics/nursing homes

Schools

The Gender Difference: Men vs. Women

The gender difference in CPR is well known. Men are more likely than women to perform CPR, and men are more likely to be bystanders who can provide CPR. However, the gender difference in survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is not as clear.

In a recent Cochrane review of 15 studies, women had higher survival rates than men with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OR 0.71; 95% CI 0.60–0.85). This finding was consistent across all age groups and countries.

In another meta-analysis of 11 studies that examined sex differences in survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, women had higher rates of survival than men (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.06–1.76).

CPR has been shown to improve outcomes for people who experience sudden cardiac arrest, but there are questions about whether it improves outcomes for people who experience a less severe type of cardiac arrest known as ventricular fibrillation (VF).

The gender difference in CPR is significant. In surveys, male patients are more likely than female patients to perform CPR at home or in the hospital (1,2). The gender difference may be because men are more likely to be in a position to help. Men are also more likely than women to have prior training in CPR and to be willing to perform it (3).

Men tend to overestimate their ability to provide effective CPR (4). Women tend to underestimate their ability when compared with men (5). Women are also less likely than men to perform CPR with rescue breathing (6). This may be due to an awareness of cultural stereotypes that dictate that women should not be involved in sex roles such as firefighters or policemen.

Heart Attack vs. Cardiac Arrest

 Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest is a serious medical emergency. It can occur without warning and without any symptoms. CPR is the only treatment that can be provided immediately to provide benefits in the very early stages of cardiac arrest when hospital care is not yet possible.

Cardiac arrest is a sudden, total stop of the heart's electrical activity. This may be caused by:

A heart attack (myocardial infarction) is where a blood clot obstructs or blocks blood flow in one or more of the heart's arteries.

A heart rhythm disturbance that causes ventricular fibrillation (or "flatline"). Ventricular fibrillation is a chaotic and often irregular electrical activity occurring in the ventricles, which are part of the heart's pumping chamber. Ventricular fibrillation often results from problems with an electrical conduction system within the heart itself, such as damage to a myocardial infarction, but it may also occur as a result of other causes such as electrolyte imbalance or metabolic disease.

Heart Attack

A heart attack is a term used to describe a blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle. The arteries carrying blood from the heart to other parts of the body become blocked due to a blood clot, which causes a lack of oxygen and nutrients. This can lead to tissue death (necrosis) in the affected area if not treated quickly.

A heart attack can be caused by coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis (hardening or plaque buildup), or hypertension (high blood pressure). Atherosclerosis occurs when cholesterol and other substances build up on the inner walls of your arteries, causing them to narrow. High blood pressure results when the heart works harder than normal to pump blood around your body. Atherosclerosis and high blood pressure are both risk factors for coronary artery disease, which is the leading cause of death from cardiovascular disease worldwide.

Conclusion

There are instructions on the right way to perform CPR and the reasons why it is necessary. It also talks about whether it is okay to use mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, 

Becoming certified in CPR is not just a one-time endeavor. Understanding the lifesaving technique and keeping your skills updated requires regular practice. You should be scheduling and attending skills retesting at least once every two years or whenever you are exposed to new medical guidelines and treatment options. As a designer, you can help everyone with this important subject by designing an informative, high-quality educational infographic using your professional design skills.

CPR is a lifesaving technique that can bring victims of heart attacks and other critical conditions back to consciousness before emergency medical technicians arrive. CPR is not limited to healthcare providers; rather, it should be made available to anyone whose life may depend on it. And while the standard AED cart equipment provides some measure of CPR capability to a bystander, the advent of portable AEDs designed for use by laypersons makes waiting for help less risky and more accessible than ever before. These portable devices are small enough to fit in a backpack or attach right onto a belt loop adjacent to a phone, greatly improving the chance that they will be there in the event of an emergency.