Do you know how to resuscitate adults or children in an emergency?Here is a simple guideline to teach you how.
Checking for danger
Check for danger to others, casualty and self. If the person is unconscious and there is a possibility that the neck, head or back may be injured do not move the person except if the person is in impending danger.
Response
Ask for casualty’s name, squeeze shoulders gently and check for response.
Making sure airways are open
Make sure the airways are open and clear of any objects. Be sure to remove any retainers or dentures.If there is any foreign material visible, place casualty in recover position, open and clear airways.
Listen for breathing
By putting one hand on the forehead and one on the chin, tilt the head back. Listen or feel for any breathing by placing your head near the casualty’s mouth and see whether the chest is rising and falling.
Assisted Breathing for adults
If the casualty is not breathing, cover the nostrils with your thumb and index finger. With the head still tilted back take a deep breath and seal your mouth over the casualty’s mouth. Exhale two full breaths, each lasting 1.5 to 2 seconds. Remove your mouth between breaths to permit the casualty to exhale.
Assisted Breathing for small children
If the casualty is not breathing, close both mouth and nose. Exhale two full breaths, each lasting 1 to 1.5 seconds for children ages 1 to 8. Remove your mouth between breaths to permit the casualty to exhale.
Check for a response
Check to see whether the chest is rising with each breath. Check the pulse: place two fingers on the neck alongside the Adam's apple and one hand on the forehead and push down to feel for a pulse for approximately 5 to 10 seconds.
Continue assisted breathing
Carry on with the breathing-if you do feel a pulse:12 breaths per minute (two breaths every 5 seconds) for adults and children over 8 or 20 breaths per minute (two breaths every 3 seconds) for children ages 1 to 8.
If you don't feel a pulse...
Start compressions of the chest
Location
To locate the breastbone put your fingers in the center of the chest where the ribs join and measure two fingers' width above the bottom of the breastbone. Put the lower part of your hand there and place the other hand on top of the first one. To provide extra pressure interlock your fingers. Only use one hand for compressions if children are aged 1 to 8.
Carrying out technique
Softly push downward using the lower part of your hand; keeping your shoulders above your hands and your elbows locked straight. In 15 quick, smooth thrusts,push the chest 4 to 5 cm down (for adults and children over 8). In 5 quick, smooth thrusts, push the chest 2.5 to 4 cm down (for children ages 1 to 8). Let the chest rise between thrusts however do not take your hand away from the chest. Count aloud as you go. Breathe two breaths into the casualty’s mouth.
For adults and children over 8:
15 chest compressions; 2 breaths x 4
For children ages 1 to 8:
5 chest compressions;1 breath x 20
Check for a pulse
If there isn’t a pulse, continue alternating between compressions and breaths. Every minute or so check the pulse.Carry on until the casualty has a pulse and starts breathing again or until medical help arrives.
Resource:
Tom Morgan. Resuscitating an unconscious person:http://www.ehow.com
