Performing CPR

CPR is short for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is a procedure used as an emergency measure, in order to save life. Performing CPR involves providing artificial respiration in order to keep the blood oxygenated. The chest is compressed intermittently in order to induce the heart to begin pumping this oxygenated blood into the brain. If this procedure is not performed, it will take just a few minutes for the brain to be permanently damaged or even death to occur. In case the heart stops beating, it results in depriving the brain of the oxygen it requires to both continue to function as well as to keep alive the body.

When somebody becomes unconscious, has stopped breathing, and does not have any pulse, then performing CPR is the first treatment that is required. In case the individual does have a pulse, then just artificial resuscitation is required. The artificial breathing or the cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be continued until the person’s pulse and breathing start functioning again or until medical help arrives.

If certain basic steps are followed, then performing CPR is not very complex. One of the first things that you need to do is to get the air passage open. The head should be tilted in such a way that the chin is lifted up so that the tongue can be removed from choking the base of the throat. Then you can start the ABC’s of cardiopulmonary resuscitation wherein ‘A’ stands for airway, ‘B’ stands for breathing, and ‘C’ stands for circulation.

A for Airway: As mentioned above, use the head tilting and chin lifting technique to open up the airway. This can be done by the head being pushed down, and then the chin being lifted up, which dislodges the tongue choking up the air passage. When a person becomes unconscious, it is quite common for the tongue to obstruct the air passage. If the person has the ability to breathe on his/her own, then it should take place immediately after the air passage is cleared of obstruction. If you do not feel, see or hear the person breathing, he/she must be given two breaths by you. Feel, listen, and look for any faint signs of the person drawing in breath.

B for Breathing: Remember, the unconscious person you are performing CPR on must be given two breaths at first. The response can be assessed by placing your face near the person’s face in order to feel or hear him/her breathing or by checking to see if the chest is rising and falling. In case you do not detect any signs of breathing, the person should be given two breaths. The person’s nose should be pinched shut and then you should place your mouth on the person’s mouth, and then you need to blow in air to the extent that you can see the chest rising. This can be checked by watching the chest from the corner of your eye. Then, you need to locate the carotid artery, beside the Adam’s apple to feel for the pulse for about 5-10 seconds. In case no pulse is felt, then chest compressions need to be begun.

C for Circulation: Once the initial two breaths are given, and yet there is no pulse, then you need to start the circulation going by beginning the chest compressions. Begin by locating the correct place on the chest to place your hands. Find the sternum’s base, which is the area where all the ribs converge in the middle of the chest.

Two fingers should be placed on that area. Then the heel of the other hand should be placed by the side of those fingers. The fingers then should be interlaced, the elbows locked, and the chest compression should be performed by using the weight of your body. Each time you press down, the chest should go in by about 2 inches.

Compress the chest 15 times, counting out aloud, then this should be followed by giving the person two breaths – this forms one cycle. This process should be followed for four cycles, which should take about one minute.

Then the pulse should be checked again at the neck and check whether there are any signs of breathing. If not, continue the procedure until medical help arrives.