Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in adults and children - types and how to carry out

Sudden cardiac arrest can occur as a result of, for example, a sudden onset of illness, accident, suffocation, and anaphylactic shock. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation aims to provide circulation in case of sudden cardiac arrest. If the heart does not work and there is no breathing (breathing is disturbed shortly after the cardiac arrest), it is necessary to restore blood flow through the internal organs to maintain the life of the victim.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation saves lives!

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is one of the elements of first aid. Each of us should know how to perform heart massage and artificial respiration for an adult and a child. Please note that first aid is our responsibility. If, for example, we are afraid to perform mouth-to-mouth breathing for health reasons, then we can stop at a heart massage or use a special mask with a mouthpiece that separates the mouth of the victim from the mouth of the person performing resuscitation. breath. Alternately performing artificial breaths and chest compressions of the victim increases the chances of saving his life and reduces the risk of damage associated with cerebral hypoxia.

First aid includes more than just cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is performed if the victim is unresponsive, unconscious, not breathing, or breathing abnormally. An indication for cardiopulmonary resuscitation is also the absence of a pulse or a very weak pulse. If the casualty is unconscious and breathing normally, place him in a recovery position and monitor his breathing.

Types of cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) includes:

• basic resuscitation procedures - Basic Life Support (BLS),

• advanced resuscitation procedures - Advanced Life Support (ALS).

Each of us can perform basic resuscitation procedures. We should not be afraid that we will harm the victim - the most important thing is to try to save a life. Advanced resuscitation procedures are performed by trained medical personnel.

The main resuscitation measures that are necessary for sudden cardiac arrest:

• airway cleansing,

• chest compressions,

• performing rescue breaths.

Important! If you try to save the life of the victim by starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation, his chance of survival increases as much as three times! In addition, life support with heart massage and artificial respiration supports blood circulation and prevents severe brain damage due to hypoxia. Brain cells can survive without oxygen for about 5 minutes. - after this time, the brain tissue begins to die, which leads to irreversible changes in the nervous system. The initiation of resuscitation and the continuation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation until qualified help arrives is the responsibility of witnesses to the accident or other event that caused sudden cardiac arrest. The rules for conducting cardiopulmonary resuscitation are not complicated. CPR is critical in the first minutes after cardiac arrest – cardiopulmonary resuscitation significantly increases the chances of restoring spontaneous circulation. Starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation immediately after cardiac arrest reduces the risk of death!

According to current recommendations, to increase the chances of survival of a victim who has undergone a cardiac arrest, it is necessary:

• early recognition of cardiac arrest - apnea, loss of consciousness, lack of pulse;

• quick call for help - to do this, you need to call the emergency number 112 or connect to emergency services by calling 999;

• start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as soon as possible;

• start defibrillation as early as possible if an AED is available. Early initiation of defibrillation can lead to a survival rate of up to 75%. Every minute of delayed defibrillation reduces the chances of survival by 10-12%.

We can stop cardiopulmonary resuscitation when: the victim begins to breathe normally or the medical team arrives at the scene.

When is cardiopulmonary resuscitation needed?

The most common causes of sudden cardiac arrest include:

• injuries resulting from traffic accidents,

• trauma-related shock

• falls from a height

• iron,

• pulmonary embolism,

• myocardial infarction,

• panting

• Cardiac arrhythmia.

The layperson should start CPR when the casualty loses consciousness and stops breathing, or if breathing is disturbed. Do not delay starting resuscitation - start CPR as soon as possible after the casualty has lost consciousness and stopped breathing.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation for adults

Before starting resuscitation, it is necessary to assess the situation by checking whether the place where the victim is located is safe. It is necessary to ensure not only the safety of the victim, but also your own safety.

Then you need to check the condition of the person in need of help. Checking the condition of the victim includes an assessment of external damage, consciousness and state of consciousness. If the victim does not answer - does not answer the questions asked, it is necessary to check whether the victim is breathing. If you do not feel breathing, open the airway by performing an anterior mandibular maneuver by slightly tilting the victim’s head back. The fronto-mandibular maneuver can be performed on a victim in whom we do not suspect a spinal injury. To open the airway, place one hand on the victim’s forehead and the other on their chin and gently tilt their head back.. After the airways are open, you need to follow your breath for about 10 seconds.

If the victim may have a spinal injury, open the airway by moving the victim’s jaw forward so that the lower teeth are in front of the upper ones.

Then bend over the casualty with your cheek close to his mouth, watching the movement of the victim’s chest and trying to feel the movement of the air exhaled by him or hear the sound of inhaled and exhaled air. The absence of breathing within 10 seconds of opening the airway is an indication for the start of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

chest compressions

To perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation without rescue breathing, follow these steps:

• kneel next to the victim,

• put your hands on the middle of the victim’s chest,

• straighten your arms at the elbows,

• squeeze the chest of the victim with a frequency of 100-120 clicks per minute, to a depth of 5-6 cm.

Alternating 2 rescue breaths with chest compressions increases the casualty’s chance of survival, but rescue breaths are not a mandatory part of basic life support.

Chest compressions and rescue breaths

If you want to perform cardiac massage and artificial respiration:

• kneel next to the victim,

• put your hands on the middle of the victim’s chest,

• straighten your arms at the elbows,

• make 30 compressions on the chest of the victim with a frequency of 100-120 compressions per minute, to a depth of 5-6 cm,

• take 2 artificial breaths, bringing your mouth closer to the victim’s mouth and covering the victim’s nose.

Alternate between 30 chest compressions and 2 breaths. until he catches his breath or until an ambulance arrives at the scene.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in children

In the case of children, it is not recommended to refuse to perform artificial breaths, the most common cause of cardiac arrest in children is a violation of the respiratory system.

You need to resuscitate the child:

• clear the airways

• take 5 artificial breaths,

• start cardiac massage - do 15 chest compressions,

• take 2 artificial breaths.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation must be continued by performing alternating 15 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths.
For infants under 1 year of age, CPR includes chest compressions with two fingers—forefinger and middle finger.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be continued until the child is breathing normally or until the ambulance arrives.