Understanding CPR: How Do I Do CPR?

Posted on 10th June 2024

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a critical skill that can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. Whether you're at home, in the workplace, or out in the community, knowing how to perform CPR can empower you to take immediate action and potentially save someone's life. In this blog post, we'll explore what CPR is, why it's important, and provide a step-by-step guide on how to perform CPR effectively.

In this blog, we will cover key elements including:

What is CPR?

Why is CPR Important?

How to Do CPR?

Conclusions

Lets get straight to it!

What is CPR?

CPR is a lifesaving technique used to manually keep blood circulating and oxygenation going in a person who has experienced cardiac arrest or stopped breathing. During cardiac arrest, the heart suddenly stops beating, depriving the brain and vital organs of oxygen. Without immediate intervention, irreversible brain damage or death can occur within minutes. CPR helps to maintain blood flow to the brain and vital organs until professional medical help arrives.

Why is CPR Important?

Every minute counts during a cardiac arrest. Survival rates decrease by 7-10% for every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation. By performing CPR promptly, you can significantly increase the chances of survival and minimise the risk of long-term complications. CPR buys precious time until emergency medical services personnel arrive with advanced life support equipment.

How to Do CPR?

1. Check the Scene Safety: Before approaching the person, ensure that the scene is safe for both you and the casualty. Look out for any potential hazards or dangers.

2. Assess Responsiveness: Gently tap the person’s shoulders and ask loudly, "Are you okay?" Look for any signs of responsiveness, such as movement or moaning.

3. Open the Airway: Place the person on their back on a flat surface. Tilt their head back slightly and lift the chin to open the airway.

4. Check for Breathing: Look, listen, and feel for signs of breathing for no more than 10 seconds. If the person is not breathing normally, proceed with CPR.

5. Call for Help: If the person does not respond and is not breathing normally, or only gasping, call for emergency medical assistance immediately. If there's someone nearby, ask them to call 999 while you begin CPR.

6. Perform Chest Compressions:

• Kneel beside the person's chest.

• Place the heel of one hand in the center of the chest,

• Place the other hand on top of the first hand, you don’t need to interlocking your fingers.

• Position yourself directly over the person's chest and with straight, press down firmly (one third of their body width deep) at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.

7. Give Rescue Breaths:

• Tilt the person's head back slightly and lift the chin.

• Pinch the person's nose shut and create a seal over their mouth with yours.

• Give two rescue breaths, while watching for the chest to rise.

8. Perform cycles of 30 chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths. Continue CPR until the person shows signs of life, the emergency service personnel take over, or you are too exhausted to continue. If the area becomes too dangerous for you to continue doing CPR safely, you’ll need to stop to remove yourself from danger.

Remember, any attempt at CPR is better than no attempt at all. Don't be afraid to take action and make a difference in someone's life. Consider taking a First Aid course to receive hands-on training in effective CPR techniques, which can further enhance your confidence and proficiency in performing CPR.

Conclusion

CPR is a vital skill that everyone should learn. By knowing how to perform CPR, you can become a valuable asset in your community, workplace, or family, and potentially save lives in emergency situations. Remember the key steps: check the scene safety, assess responsiveness, open the airway, check for breathing, call on ambulance, perform chest compressions, and give rescue breaths. With proper training, readiness, and confidence, you can make a lifesaving difference when it matters most.