Online CPR Certification Blog

When a person who is not trained on healthcare services performs CPR on an adult, this is referred to as lay person CPR.          This emergency procedure is performed on an adult who is not breathing or whose heart has stopped. This could be as a result of an accident, medical condition like stroke or heart attack or even an injCPR is done with chest compressions only or as a combination of chest compressions and rescue breathing. With a chest compression, once is required to put pressure on the person’s chest, on and off. Rescue breathing is where breathers are given through mouth to the patient.

What you should do when someone isn’t breathing normally

• First, you will need to immediately call 911 or ask someone to call. This should be done before you even start CPR as fast arrival of caregivers enhances the chances of the person living.
• Check that the area is safe and enter to approach the person. Don’t move him unless the place is dangerous like in a fire. Then, tap his shoulder and ask him loudly if he is alright.
• Kneel beside him and check if his back, head or neck is hurt
• If the person is only gasping or not breathing at all, start CPR and don’t stop until he responds, you get an automated external defibrillator or caregivers arrive.

How to use an AED

There are two ways of giving CPR:

1. C-A-B: The first method of doing CPR is known as CAB: This is a combination of chest compressions (C), Airway opening (A) and rescue breathing (B). Start with 30 chest compressions at first, open his airway and hold it open and then give 2 rescue breaths via the mouth. Repeat this pattern.
2. Compression only CPR- when you don’t want or are unable to give the rescue breaths, do only chest compressions and this betters the chances of the person living.

How to use an AED

An AED should never be removed from the storage case unless it is intended for use. Remove all the clothing from the victim’s chest before opening the AED. The first thing you is opening the AED and the on switch is marked clearly. Secondly, unwrap, open or pull a handle to find the electrode pads and don’t attach them from the device. After preparing the pads and person well, apply the pads on the chest and begin CPR and continue until the person responds or help arrives.

Care agreement and information

A patient has a right to help in planning his or her care and can discuss with the caregivers about the treatment options and choose the most preferable care they need to receive. Also, you have a right of refusing treatment if you don’t wish to get one. The information highlighted here above is only an educational aid and not medical advice in anyway.