CPR

Cardio Pulmonory Resuscitation enables the rescuer to keep the blood flowing and oxygenated in the casualty, when they cannot. This stops cells in the casualty from dying due to lack of oxygen, which could cause the brain death of the casualty.

WARNING: Performing CPR incorrectly can cause rib damage. You should not perform CPR with the instructions on this website without having prior training with a person who can inspect your actions.

What is the Heart?

The heart is a muscular pump which keeps blood flowing around the body. The right side of the heart pumps blood to the lungs which then returns to the left side of the heart. This side pumps blood around the rest of the body, and blood returns to the right side.

Each side is made up of an atrium and a ventricle. The ventricle 'pumps' the blood, whilst the atrium stores a quantity of blood, which flows into the ventricle after the heart beats, ready to be pumped itself.

Chest compressions effectively pump the heart manually, consequently keeping blood flowing around the body.

What are the Lungs?

When you breathe in, air enters the lungs. Here, part of the air (the oxygen), binds onto haemoglobin in the blood. As the blood is pumped around the body, your organs and cells use oxygen when they work, and transform it into carbon dioxide. When the blood gets back to your lungs, it drops off the carbon dioxide, and picks up more oxygen. When you breathe out, you get rid of the useless carbon dioxide.

Differences in Performing CPR

There are subtle differences between the Adult, Child and Baby sequences:

1. When to call an ambulance
   1. With an adult, an emergency call should be called as soon as you diagnose that the casualty is not breathing.
   2. With a child or baby you should not make an emergency call until 1 minute of CPR has been performed.
2. Depth of Compression
   1. With an adult, you should push down 4-5 centimetres in a chest compression.
   2. With a child or baby, you should push down one third of the chest depth.
3. Type of Compression
   1. With an adult, use two hands with intertwined fingers.
   2. With a child, use one hand.
   3. With a baby, use the ends of two fingers.
4. 5 Breaths First
   1. With an adult, there are no initial 5 breaths, and you should immediately start 30 compressions.
   2. With a child and baby, before performing 30 compressions, you should administer 5 breaths.

Performing CPR on a Simulated Casualty

When practicing CPR on a healthy person:

• Never perform chest compressions - this can damage the heart and ribs.
• Never breathe into the person - breath over the top instead.

Citation: Handley, A.J. (2006). Life Support: Basic Skills to Save Lives. Broom: Royal Life Saving Society (UK).