How do I administer CPR correctly in an emergency situation ?

Administering CPR correctly in an emergency situation involves a series of steps to ensure the victim receives proper care until professional help arrives. The key steps include: checking the safety of the scene, calling for help, checking the victim's responsiveness, looking for an AED, opening the airway, checking for breathing, performing chest compressions if the victim is not breathing, giving rescue breaths (if trained), using an AED (if available), and continuing CPR until help arrives or the victim starts breathing normally. The quality of chest compressions is crucial, as they must be hard and fast enough to mimic a heartbeat and force blood out to vital organs.
How do I administer CPR correctly in an emergency situation

How to Administer CPR Correctly in an Emergency Situation

1. Check the Safety of the Scene

  • Before beginning any emergency procedure, ensure that the area is safe for both you and the victim.

2. Call for Help

  • If possible, have someone call emergency services or do it yourself before starting CPR.

3. Check the Victim's Responsiveness

  • Gently tap or shake the victim and ask loudly, "Are you OK?"

4. Call Out for an AED

  • Ask someone to find an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) if available.

5. Open the Airway

  • Place your hand on the victim's forehead and gently tilt their head back to lift the chin and open the airway.

6. Check for Breathing

  • Look for chest rise, listen for breath sounds, and feel for breath on your cheek while holding the victim's airway open.

7. If No Breathing, Give Chest Compressions

  • Place the heel of one hand in the center of the victim's chest with the other hand on top of the first.
  • Lock your elbows and keep your arms straight.
  • Press hard and push down at least 2 inches deep at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
  • Let the chest rise completely between compressions.

8. Give Rescue Breaths (If Trained)

  • If you are trained and it is safe to do so, give two rescue breaths after every 30 chest compressions.
  • Tilt the head and lift the chin to open the airway.
  • Pinch the nose shut and make a seal over the victim's mouth.
  • Give two full breaths, watching for the chest to rise.

9. Continue CPR

  • Alternate between chest compressions and rescue breaths until:
  • The victim starts breathing normally.
  • An AED becomes available and is ready to use.
  • Another trained responder takes over.
  • Emergency medical services arrive and take over.
  • You are too exhausted to continue.

10. Use an AED (If Available)

  • Turn on the AED and follow the voice prompts.
  • Attach the electrode pads to the victim's bare chest as directed.
  • Step away when the AED analyzes the heart rhythm and is set to deliver a shock.
  • Resume CPR if directed by the AED after the shock has been delivered.

11. Keep Going

  • Do not stop CPR unless the victim starts breathing normally, help arrives, or you are unable to continue.

Remember that the quality of chest compressions is crucial. They must be hard and fast enough to actually compress the heart between the spine and the sternum, forcing blood out to vital organs and mimicking a heartbeat.