CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) may well be the most valuable skill you will ever learn. Over and over again, CPR has been shown to prolong life until trained medical personnel arrive to administer professional care. CPR has been used primarily to revive victims of cardiac arrest, but it has also saved victims of drowning, respiratory failure, and drug overdose. How CPR Saves Lives
CPR is a combination of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compression. "Mouth-to-mouth" helps get air into the victim's lungs while chest compression forces oxygen-rich blood to the brain and other organs. The key components of successful CPR are timing and training. Timing, because unless CPR is administered within 4 minutes of an arrest, the brain can be irreversibly damaged from lack of oxygen. Training, because too violent chest compression can cause the chest wall to cave in, while too-mild chest compression can fail to force adequate blood supplies to the brain.
Who Needs Training?
The obvious answer is "everyone," but that, of course, is too pat. Generally, anyone who is physically able to administer the technique should be trained, particularly those who may have a family member who is at high risk for cardiac arrest or respiratory failure. High risk groups include people with a personal or family history of heart attacks, previous cardiac arrests, angina, high blood pressure, or extreme overweight.
Where To Train
If you are interested in taking a CPR training course, contact your local chapters of the American Red Cross, or the American Heart Association. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, or the American College of Cardiology may also provide resources and referral. (Check your phone book for listings in your area.) Many community hospitals, fitness centers, and worksite health promotion programs now offer CPR training.Your local Fire Department most likely offers free CPR training to the public.
This is intended as a supplement to information learned in a complete CPR course instructed by the American Heart Association. It is not to be used as your only guide for CPR unless in emergency situations. Please use this only as a guideline for the proper steps in CPR. For more information please contact your local American Heart Association for class information or your local Fire Department
CPR Is a combination of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
and chest compression![](heart2.gif")
How to Perform ADULT CPR
Make sure the scene is safe for you to help. Make sure you have universal precautions: gloves, pocket mask, etc. Make sure you know how many patients you have.
Determine if they are conscious by tapping and shouting "Are you OK?"
If no response have someone call 911. Position the patient on their back.
Open the airway with a head-tilt chin-lift or jaw-thrust maneuver.
LOOK-LISTEN-&-FEELING for breaths.CHECK BREATHING FOR 5-10 SECONDS.
If they aren't breathing VENTILATE TWICE.
Check for a pulse by palpating(feeling) the carotid artery. CHECK THE PULSE FOR 10 SECONDS.
If there is no pulse BEGIN CHEST COMPRESSIONS at a rate of 15 COMPRESSIONS to 2 BREATHS. Recheck the pulse after ONE MINUTE.
CONTINUE UNTIL HELP ARRIVES, OR UNTIL YOU FEEL TOO TIRED TO CONTINUE.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CPR, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT OR AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
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