Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Rule #1: Always remember DR ABC
Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation

Rule #2: To be proficient in CPR, theoretical knowledge is insufficient. A formal CPR course with practical training is advised.

Danger

• Look out for unsafe environment, e.g. fire, poisonous gas, etc.

Response

• Tap or gently shake the victim and call out loudly “Hello! Hello! Are you ok?”
• If no response, Call loudly for help and Ambulance 995
• Position the victim face up on a firm and flat surface by rolling the head, neck and body simultaneously.

Airway

• Open the Airway with the Head Tilt – Chin Lift maneuver:
  - Place one hand on the victim’s forehead and applying firm backward pressure with palm to tilt the head backward.
  - Place the fingers of your other hand under the lower jaw to lift the jaw forward.
• Check the Airway and remove any obvious foreign bodies with a hooked index finger.

Breathing

• Check for Breathing: Look for rise and fall of the chest, Listen for air escaping during exhalation, Feel for the flow of air from the victim’s mouth and nose on your cheeks. (for up to 10 seconds)
• If there is no spontaneous breathing, perform mouth-to-mouth breathing:
  - Maintain head tilt-chin lift.
  - Pinch the nose with index finger and thumb.
  - Seal your mouth over the victim’s mouth and give 1 blow.
  - Release the nostrils to allow exhalation after each blow.
  - Give a 2nd blow.

Circulation

• Check for pulse by placing your finger tips to the side of the neck next to the Adam’s apple.
• If the victim has no pulse, perform chest compressions:
  - Run your middle finger from the lower margin of the ribcage to the center of the chest where a notch can be felt.
  - Place your index finger next to the middle finger.
  - Place the heel of one hand next to the index finger.
  - Place the heel of the other hand on top of the hand on the sternum.
  - Interlace the fingers of both hands.
  - Straighten both elbows.
  - Use your body weight to compress the victim’s chest.
  - Count the compressions: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 5, 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 10… 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 30.
  - Give 2 breaths after 30 chest compressions.
  - Complete 5 cycles of 30 chest compressions: 2 breaths.

Reassessment

• Check for pulse. If pulse is still absent, continue another 5 cycles of CPR (30:2).
• If pulse is present, check for breathing. If breathing is absent, perform Rescue breathing: Blow 12 breaths and count 2-a-thousand, 3-a-thousand, 4-a-thousand, 5-a-thousand after each breath.
• If both pulse and breathing are present, position the victim in the Recovery position and continue to monitor the patient till the ambulance arrives.