Cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR].

Introduction

A stopped heart deprives the brain of precious oxygen. Do CPR - short for "cardiopulmonary resuscitation" - to help prolong life while you wait for professional medical assistance.

Initial Assessment

Step One
Determine if the surrounding scene is safe.

Step Two
Tell someone nearby to call 999/911.

Step Three
Determine if the injured person is breathing.

Step Four
Position the injured person on his or her back, being extremely careful not to move or twist the head, neck or spine. If several rescuers are present, use their assistance to minimise this danger.

Step Five
Maintain an open airway while you pinch the injured person's nose shut.

Step Six
Give two long, slow breaths, being sure to maintain a seal between your mouth and his or hers.

Tips & Warnings

* Use latex gloves and a breathing mask to prevent infection or transmission of disease.
* If breaths do not go in, re-tilt the head and try again. If breaths still do not go in, the airway may be obstructed.
* If you suspect a spinal injury, do not tilt the chin to open the airway. Instead, with one hand on each side of the head and facing the injured person's toes, put your index and third fingers in front of the earlobes and push the jaw forward and up.
* If this method doesn't open the airway, revert to the chin-tilt method: the injured person's most drastic need is for oxygen.
* If the person has a severe injury to the mouth, then give breaths through the nose while keeping the injured person's mouth sealed shut.

Secondary Assessment.

Step One
Check again for breathing and pulse.

Step Two
Perform rescue breathing if the person has a pulse, but is not breathing.

CPR - Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Step One
Begin CPR if the person is neither breathing nor has a pulse.

Step Two
Position the hands: find the lower tip of the breastbone. Measure two finger widths towards the head, and place the heel of one hand in this location.

Step Three
Place your other hand on top of the first hand, interlacing your fingers of both hands.

Step Four
Lean forward so that your shoulders are over your hands.

Step Five
Push downward on the chest, using the weight of your upper body for strength. Compress 15 times in 10 seconds.

Step Six
Give two more slow breaths after the 15 compressions.

Step Seven
Do 15 more compressions followed again by two slow breaths.

Step Eight
Perform the 15-compression, two-breath cycle a total of four times.

Step Nine
Re-check pulse and breathing.

Step Ten
Continue repeating this entire cycle - four sets of chest compressions and breaths followed by re-checking pulse and breathing - until the injured person regains a pulse, until professional medical help arrives, or until you are too exhausted to continue.

Tips & Warnings

* Use the weight of your upper body to aid in compressions so that your arms don't get tired.
Switch off with another rescuer to save energy for both of you.

-----ooo000ooo-----