This is a life-saving skill used in emergency situations.
Essential Information About Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
CPR – A Life-Saving Skill Everyone Should Learn
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is a life-saving skill used in emergencies, combining chest compressions and artificial respiration.
This is truly a very important skill. When a victim’s heart stops beating and they stop breathing, their oxygen supply is cut off. Without oxygen, the brain can suffer permanent damage or even lead to death within just 8 to 10 minutes.
This is truly a very important skill.
However, if CPR is performed correctly, you can save the victim by restoring blood flow to the heart and brain, helping them breathe again before medical personnel arrive.
The American Heart Association considers this a crucial life-saving skill that everyone should know to apply at any time.
When Should CPR Be Performed?
The earlier CPR is performed, the higher the chances of saving the patient and preventing brain damage. However, you must ensure the environment is safe before rushing to help.
Make sure the surrounding area is safe: no exposed electrical sources, normal air, and no toxic gases…
You cannot save someone if you become a victim yourself. After that, consider whether you should perform CPR.
For adults, you can check by gently shaking their shoulders and asking for a response. Observe the pupils, listen for breathing, and see if the chest rises. If the victim is unresponsive, immediately call for help, ask someone to call emergency services, and then perform CPR.
If you are alone, call emergency services before performing CPR, unless the situation is critical, such as in a drowning accident.
Basic CPR Guidelines
CPR consists of three basic parts, abbreviated as CAB. Here, C (Compression) refers to chest compressions, A (Airway) refers to the airway, and B (Breathing) refers to artificial respiration.
However, experts recommend that if you have not taken any CPR training courses, simply performing “C” is sufficient as it is the simplest and most effective action. This is also why this article will only guide you through the chest compression technique.
The purpose of chest compressions is to restore blood circulation, helping the heart to beat again and thereby reviving other organs. First, place a flat surface under the patient’s back. Then, place your hands in the center of the chest, at the level of the armpits.
Place your hands in the center of the chest, at the level of the armpits.
Next, place the heel of one hand in the center of the chest, then place the other hand on top for support.
Finally, keep your elbows straight and use your body weight to push down hard. According to the American Heart Association, chest compressions should be performed quickly, firmly, and directly in the center of the chest, at a rate of about 100 compressions per minute. However, for children, the compressions should be gentler to avoid causing injury to their ribs.
It is important to note that chest compressions require a lot of strength, so you may want to ask someone else to assist – continuing at a rate of 100 compressions per minute until the victim shows signs of revival or until medical professionals arrive.
Continuous chest compressions are necessary to force the heart to pump blood to the brain. Even when the victim starts to show signs of breathing again, chest compressions should continue for a while longer.
If you haven’t taken any CPR classes, continue performing this action until the victim responds, or until medical professionals arrive.
For the steps regarding airway management (Airway) and rescue breathing (Breathing), it is recommended to attend a CPR training course. There, you will learn how to position the victim correctly, how to clear the airway if it is obstructed by a foreign object, and how to perform effective rescue breathing.
These are very difficult steps to describe without direct guidance and can lead to unintended consequences, so this article will not cover them.
Learn CPR to Prevent Emergencies
In Vietnam, CPR training courses are not widely available in schools, but hospitals or the Red Cross sometimes organize these courses. If you want to participate, you can contact these organizations for more information.
Potential Risks of Performing CPR
Without CPR, a person experiencing cardiac arrest can die. Therefore, this method gives patients a chance to live. However, CPR may come with risks such as broken ribs and injuries to the organs in the chest during artificial respiration, due to the need to compress the chest forcefully to maintain blood circulation.
Despite the risks, CPR is still better than no initial first aid being administered. If a rib is broken during the process, pause and reposition your hands before continuing, or ask someone else to take over.
Important Notes When Performing CPR
Most cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals, with a large number happening at home. Therefore, knowing how to perform CPR can help you assist a loved one or a friend if they experience cardiac arrest. This method increases the chances of survival after cardiac arrest, but it is crucial to act quickly and decisively.
There are different CPR interventions for adults and children, so it is important to apply the correct method for each individual.
