Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a series of life saving techniques that is used in emergency cases such as cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction or heart attack and respiratory failure or simply put, the instances in which the heartbeat and breathing has stopped. These usually happens in an instant that is why the American heart association recommends all health care providers and even those who are untrained to know the steps of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Before you start providing CPR, do the following:
• Survey the scene if it is safe, if not, then transfer yourself and the victim, as well as the bystanders to a secure area
• Check the victim if he or she is really unconscious by tapping him or her lightly in the shoulders and calling attention by shouting

Chest compressions are the first interventions to provide during emergency cases mentioned earlier. The first priority is to restore the blood circulation with chest compressions. First, place the victim on a flat and firm surface. Then, locate the chest compression site (between the nipples). With your hand placed on top of the other hand, compress using your body weight with your elbows straight and compress at 2 inches. Provide chest compressions at a rate of 100 chest compressions per minute. However, If you are not trained, provide chest compressions without interruptions in between while waiting for the emergency medical services.

Next, clear the airway, start it by using the head tilt chin lift maneuver after providing 30 cycles of chest compression. Check if the victim is breathing and if it is already normal, do this as you place your ear and cheek on the victim’s mouth and nose. If the victim is abnormally breathing, like gasping for example then begin providing rescue breaths. When the head tilt chin lift maneuver is done, pinch the nostrils and seal the victim’s mouth with yours. Provide a rescue breath, slow and gentle which lasts for one second only. The victim’s chest must rise-this indicates that the lungs are ventilated and oxygen is provided in the body especially the brain. Provide a 2nd rescue breath and then resume the chest compressions to allow the oxygenated blood to circulate and nourish the vital organs. When five cycles of CAB (circulation, airway and breathing) measures have passed then us an automated external defibrillator to regain the electrical impulses to the heart. Follow the voice prompts, provide one shock and then provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation again.

Continue providing the sequence until the victim has awakened or if the victim has regained heartbeat and breathing or when the emergency medical services arrive.

Knowing what to do especially on cases like these makes you prepared. This adds a lot of benefits besides being an addition to your skills, this makes you special in the workplace and this will save lives especially when your loved one is experiencing an event that needs CPR.

Do you need CPR training? Then try some good CPR training centers that are up to date with the guidelines they teach, such as the American Heart Association in Franklin TN