Basic Life Support Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation Flashcards
Describe the elements of basic life support (BLS) and the procedure for Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in Adults, Neonates, Infants and Children. Including the use of the Laerdal Pocket Mask.
Signs of Cardiac/Respiratory Arrest
Unresponsiveness
Lack of pulse
Lack of respiratory effort
Those most at risk of Cardiac/Respiratory Arrest
Known cardiac patients
Previous cardiac arrest
Previous heart attack
Previous stroke
Requesting Assistance
When encountering a patient who is in or who you believe is about to go into cardiac or respiratory arrest request assistance as early as possible.
The management of these conditions requires specialist skills and equipment and the earlier these are requested the earlier they will arrive.
Primary Survey - steps
Danger Response Airway Breathing Circulation
NO RESPONSE = request assistance
Start CPR
Disability
Expose/Evaluate
CPR - chest compression to inflation rate
Chest compressions X 30
Inflations X 2
(then repeat)
Chest Compressions - How to do them properly
These are the most important part of basic and advanced life support.
Two hands should be placed on the centre of the chest and the chest should be compressed by a depth of 5-6cm.
Chest compressions should be delivered at a rate of 100-120 per minute.
Chest compressions should not be interrupted except for the short pauses necessary to allow for ventilation and defibrillation only.
Steps to take if off duty/for general public
Check for danger Unresponsive Shout for help Open airway Not breathing normally? Call 999
30 chest compressions
2 rescue breaths
(repeat until help arrives and someone takes over)
Pocket mask contents:
Case Pocket Mask (folded) One Way Valve (disposable) Instructions Head strap
The Pocket Mask has…
A pre-inflated air filled cuff
A foldable semi-soft mask dome
A tubular connection port
Pocket Mask - advantages of use
Provides a physical barrier between the rescuer and the patient and reduces the risk of infection.
Allows ventilation through mouth and nose at the same time.
Can be utilised with oxygen.
Helps to provide an open airway with only a moderate amount of backward head tilt.
Can be carried at all times.
Pocket Mask - how to use it
Push out the dome and attach the valve to the mask port with the exhalation port directed away form yourself.
Apply the rim of the mask between the patients lower lip and chin, thus retracting the lower lip to keep the mouth open under the mask.
Clamp to the patients face with both thumbs on the sides of the mask.
Using your index finger, middle and ring fingers grasp the lower jaw just in front of the earlobes and above the angles of the jaw then pull the jaw upwards.
Tilt the head moderately backwards to open the airway and maintain it in this position.
Blow into mask until you can see an adequate chest rise.
Remove your mouth and allow patient to exhale maintaining ventilations as required.
Alternately the ‘C-Grip’ can be used to secure the mask to the patients face.
Pocket Mask - one way valve info
The mask is re-useable after cleaning BUT the valve is not.
It should be discarded as clinical waste and a replacement obtained from station stock.
Laryngectomy patients
Full neck breather.
Has a stoma for air passage instead of route through mouth/nose.
Tracheostomy patients
Partial neck breather.
Has a stoma as well as an open air passage through mouth/nose.
CPR for Tracheostomy patients
Check the Neck.
Clear the airway.
Check for breathing.
Resuscitation
If the chest fails to rise after step 4 place two fingers each side of the nose and your thumb under the chin.
Close your fingers to prevent and escape of air from the mouth/nose.
Repeat step 4.
Release your fingers between each blow.
