BLS Flashcards

Question

Defibrillate

Answer 1

Attach the AED pads when available

Answer 2

👉Check for the carotid pulse on the side of the neck (Figure 4a). Keep in mind to not waste time trying to feel for a pulse; feel for no more than 10 seconds. If you are not sure you feel a pulse, begin CPR with a cycle of 30 chest compressions and two breaths. 👉Use the heel of one hand on the lower half of the sternum in the middle of the chest (Figure 4b). 👉Put your other hand on top of the first hand. (Figure 4c). 👉Straighten your arms and press straight down (Figure 4c). Compressions should be 2 to 2.4″ (5 to 6 cm) into the person’s chest and at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. 👉Be sure that between each compression you completely stop pressing on the chest and allow the chest wall to return to its natural position. Leaning or resting on the chest between compressions can keep the heart from refilling in between each compression and make CPR less effective.

Answer 3

🤩After 30 compressions, stop compressions and open the airway by tilting the head and lifting the chin (Figure 4d &4e). 👉Put your hand on the person’s forehead and tilt the head back 👉Lift the person’s jaw by placing your index and middle fingers on the lower jaw; lift up. 👉Do not perform the head-tilt/chin-lift if you suspect the person may have a neck injury. In that case, the jaw-thrust is used. 👉For the jaw-thrust maneuver, grasp the angles of the lower jaw and lift it with both hands, one on each side, moving the jaw forward. If their lips are closed, open the lower lip using your thumb (Figure 4f). 🤩Give a breath while watching the chest rise. Repeat while giving a second breath. Breaths should be delivered over one second. 🤩Resume chest compressions. Switch quickly between compressions and rescue breaths to minimize interruptions in chest compressions.

Answer 4

Many times there will be a second person available that can act as a rescuer. The ILCOR emphasizes that cell phones are available everywhere now and most have a built-in speakerphone . Direct the second rescuer to call 911 or Emergency Medical Services (EMS) without leaving the person while you begin CPR. This second rescuer can also find an AED while you stay with the person. When the second rescuer returns, the CPR tasks can be shared:

Answer 5

👉The second rescuer prepares the AED for use. 👉You begin chest compressions and count the compressions out loud. 👉The second rescuer applies the AED pads. 👉The second rescuer opens the person’s airway and gives rescue breaths. 👉Switch roles after every five cycles of compressions and breaths. One cycle consists of 30 compressions and two breaths. 👉Be sure that between each compression you completely stop pressing on the chest and allow the chest wall to return to its natural position. Leaning or resting on the chest between compressions can keep the heart from refilling in between each compression and make CPR less effective. Rescuers who become tired may tend to lean on the chest more during compressions; switching roles helps rescuers perform high-quality compressions. 👉Quickly switch between roles to minimize interruptions in delivering chest compressions. 👉When the AED is connected, minimize interruptions of CPR by switching rescuers while the AED analyzes the heart rhythm. If a shock is indicated, minimize interruptions in CPR. Resume CPR as soon as possible

Answer 6

In one-rescuer CPR, breaths should be supplied using a pocket mask, if available. Give 30 high-quality chest compressions. Seal the mask against the person’s face by placing four fingers of one hand across the top of the mask and the thumb of the other hand along the bottom edge of the mask (Figure 5a). Using the fingers of your hand on the bottom of the mask, open the airway using the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver. ( Do not do this if you suspect the person may have a neck injury) (Figure 5b). Press firmly around the edges of the mask and ventilate by delivering a breath over one second as you watch the person’s chest rise. (Figure 5c).

Answer 7

If two people are present and a bag-mask device is available, the second rescuer is positioned at the victim’s head while the other rescuer performs high-quality chest compressions. Give 30 high-quality chest compressions.

Answer 8

Deliver 30 high-quality chest compressions while counting out loud (Figure 6a). The second rescuer holds the bag-mask with one hand using the thumb and index finger in the shape of a “C” on one side of the mask to form a seal between the mask and the face, while the other fingers open the airway by lifting the person’s lower jaw (Figure 6b). The second rescuer gives two breaths over one second each as you watch the person’s chest rise (Figure 6c). Practice using the bag-valve-mask; it is essential to forming a tight seal and delivering effective breaths.

Answer 9

High-quality CPR is a critical component of the adult Basic Life Support algorithm and significantly increases the chances of survival . Key elements include: Adequate Compression Depth and Rate: Ensures sufficient blood flow to vital organs. Minimizing Interruptions: Limit pauses in compressions to less than 10 seconds. Full Chest Recoil: Allows the heart to refill between compressions. Avoiding Excessive Ventilation: Prevents decreased cardiac output and potential gastric inflation.

Answer 10

1. Ensure Scene Safety 2. Check Responsiveness 3. Activate Emergency Response System 4. Assess Breathing and Pulse 5. Begin High-Quality CPR 6. Use of Automated External Defibrillator (AED) 7. Continue CPR Cycles

Answer 11

1. Ensure Scene Safety Before approaching the patient, ensure the environment is safe for you and the victim. 2. Check Responsiveness Gently tap the person’s shoulders and shout to see if they respond. Use a loud voice, asking, “Are you okay?”

Answer 12

3. Activate Emergency Response System If the person is unresponsive: Shout for help. If someone else is available to help, instruct them to call EMS and get an AED. Call emergency services and put the phone on speaker mode if you are alone and have a mobile phone. 4. Assess Breathing and Pulse Breathing: Look for normal breathing (not gasping or irregular breaths). Pulse: Check the carotid pulse for no more than 10 seconds. Locate the pulse by placing two fingers on the trachea and sliding them into the groove between the trachea and neck muscle. If the person is not breathing normally and has no pulse, begin CPR immediately following the adult Basic Life Support algorithm.

Answer 13

5. Begin High-Quality CPR Chest Compressions: Place the heel of one hand on the center of the victim’s chest (lower half of the sternum). Place your other hand on top of the first, interlocking your fingers. Keep your arms straight and shoulders directly over your hands. Compression Depth: At least 2 inches (5 cm) but not more than 2.4 inches (6 cm). Rate: 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Allow full chest recoil after each compression. Ventilations: After 30 compressions, open the airway using the head-tilt-chin-lift method. Pinch the victim’s nose closed and give two breaths, each over 1 second, watching for chest rise. Avoid excessive ventilation.

Answer 14

Attach the AED as soon as it is available. Turn on the AED and follow the prompts. 🎉Pads Placement: Expose the chest and wipe it dry if necessary. Attach the AED pads to the victim’s bare chest as indicated on the pads. 🥳Analyze Rhythm: Ensure no one is touching the victim during rhythm analysis. 🤓Shock Delivery: If a shock is advised, ensure everyone is clear of the victim and press the shock button. Resume CPR immediately after the shock is delivered or if no shock is advised.

Answer 15

Continue cycles of 30 compressions and two breaths. Reassess the victim every 2 minutes or after five cycles of CPR. Rotate compressors every 2 minutes to reduce fatigue.

Answer 16

Ventricular fibrillation, caused by disorganized electrical activity in the main pumping chambers of the heart, is a common cause of cardiac arrest. The treatment for ventricular fibrillation is defibrillation or the delivery of an electric shock to the heart through the person’s chest wall. This shock attempts to stop the disorganized electrical activity and allow the heart’s normal rhythm to resume

Answer 17

. The automated external defibrillator (AED) is a device that recognizes ventricular fibrillation and other dysrhythmias and delivers an electric shock at the right time. The AED has become a common sight in public buildings. The AED is nearly foolproof and will not allow you to make a mistake. It is safe for anyone to use. In a witnessed cardiac arrest, where the person is observed to suddenly collapse, the most common cause is likely to be ventricular fibrillation and a defibrillator should analyze the person’s cardiac rhythm as soon as possible.

Answer 18

Using the team concept, one rescuer should coordinate all available rescuers so that one rescuer performs chest compressions while the second rescuer prepares the AED for use. Although there are many different brands of AEDs, all are utilized in a similar way. Be sure to move the person and yourself to a safe place before using the AED. Electricity and water can be lethal when combined. Ensure that the person is not wet (quickly wipe dry) or in close proximity to water before using the AED. It is safe to use an AED if the person is lying in the snow. If the person has an implanted device, such as a pacemaker, you will see a bulge over their chest. Place the defibrillator pads as close to the correct position as possible without being directly over the device. For persons with medication patches, remove the patch, wipe the skin dry, and apply the AED pad

Answer 19

1. Retrieve the AED (Figure 8a). Open the case Turn on the AED 2. Expose the person’s chest (Figure 8b). If wet, dry chest. 3. Remove medication patches. Open the AED pads (Figure 8c). Peel off backing. Check for pacemaker or internal defibrillator 4. Apply the pads (Figure 8d). Apply one pad on the upper right chest above the breast. Apply the second pad on the lower left chest below the armpit. 5. Ensure the wires are attached to the AED box (Figure 8e). 6. Move away from the person (Figure 8f). Stop CPR. Clear the person. Tell others not to touch the person. 7.Let AED analyze the rhythm. 8.If the AED message reads “Check Electrodes,” then: Ensure electrodes make good contact. If the chest is hairy, pull off the pad and replace it. 9.If the AED message reads “Shock,” Be sure the person is “clear” by making sure no one is touching them. Press and hold the “shock” button until the AED delivers the shock (Figure 8g). 10. Resume CPR for two minutes starting with chest compressions (Figure 8h). 11.Repeat steps 1 to 10.

Answer 20

1. For children, the compression to breaths ratio is 30:2 for one rescuer and 15:2 for two rescuers for all age groups. 2. The depth of compression may be different. For a child, compress the chest at least one-third the depth of the chest. This may be less than two inches for small children but will be approximately two inches for larger children (4-5 cm). 3. If you are the only rescuer at the scene and find an unresponsive child, perform CPR for two minutes before you call EMS or before you go look for an AED. The ILCOR emphasizes that cell phones are available everywhere now, and most have a built-in speakerphone, so you can call EMS while being with the child. 4. In children, primary cardiac events are not common. Cardiac arrest is most commonly preceded by respiratory problems. Survival rates improve with early intervention for respiratory problems . Remember that prevention is the first link in the Pediatric Chain of Survival. 5. If you witness a cardiac arrest in a child, call EMS and get an AED as you would in the Adult BLS sequence.

Answer 21

If you are alone with a child at the scene, do the following: 1. Tap and talk loudly to the child to determine if they are responsive. 2. Assess for breathing while simultaneously checking for the child’s carotid pulse (on the side of the neck) or femoral pulse (on the inner thigh in the crease between their leg and groin) for 5 but no more than 10 seconds. 3.If the child does not respond and is not breathing (or only gasping), yell for help. If someone answers, send them to call 911/EMS and to get an AED. 4. Feel for the child’s carotid pulse (on the side of the neck) or femoral pulse (on the inner thigh in the crease between their leg and groin) for 5 but no more than 10 seconds. 5.If you cannot feel a pulse (or if you are unsure), begin CPR by doing 30 compressions followed by two breaths. If you can feel a pulse but the pulse rate is less than 60 beats per minute, you should begin CPR. This rate is too slow for a child. 6. After doing CPR for about two minutes (usually about five cycles of 30 compressions and two breaths), and if other help has not arrived, call EMS while staying with the child. The ILCOR emphasizes that cell phones are available everywhere now and most have a built-in speakerphone. Get an AED if you know where one is. 7. Use and follow AED prompts when available while continuing CPR until EMS arrives or until the child’s condition normalizes.

Answer 22

If you are not alone with a child at the scene, do the following: 1. Tap and talk loudly at the child to determine if they are responsive 2. Assess for breathing while simultaneously checking for the child’s carotid pulse (on the side of the neck) or femoral pulse (on the inner thigh in the crease between their leg and groin) for 5 but no more than 10 seconds. 3. If the child does not respond and is not breathing (or if only gasping), have the second rescuer call 911/EMS and get an AED. The ILCOR emphasizes that cell phones are available everywhere now and most have a built-in speakerphone, so you or the second rescuer can call 911/EMS without leaving the scene). 4. Feel for the child’s carotid pulse (on the side of the neck) or femoral pulse (on the inner thigh in the crease between their leg and groin) for 5 but no more than 10 seconds. 5. If you cannot feel a pulse (or if you are unsure), begin CPR by doing 15 compressions followed by two breaths. If you can feel a pulse but the pulse rate is less than 60 beats per minute, you should begin CPR. This rate is too slow for a child. 6.When the second rescuer returns, begin doing CPR by performing 15 compressions by one rescuer and two breaths by the second rescuer. 7. Use and follow AED prompts when available while continuing CPR until EMS arrives or until the child’s condition normalizes.

Answer 23

Understanding the Pediatric BLS Algorithm The pediatric BLS algorithm is a structured sequence of actions designed to assist rescuers in assessing and managing life-threatening emergencies in infants (under one year) and children (from 1 year to puberty). It emphasizes early recognition, effective chest compressions, timely ventilations, and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) when appropriate.

Answer 24

Timely and effective application of the pediatric BLS algorithm significantly improves survival rates and neurological outcomes. Children have unique anatomical and physiological characteristics, making specialized pediatric BLS training essential for proper care.

Answer 25

1. Ensure Scene Safety 2. Check Responsiveness 3. Activate Emergency Response 4. Assess Breathing and Pulse 5. Begin High-Quality CPR 6. Use of AED 7. Continue CPR

Answer 26

1. Ensure Scene Safety Before approaching the patient, ensure the environment is safe for you and the victim. 2. Check Responsiveness Gently tap the child and shout to see if they respond. For infants, tap the bottom of the bare foot. 3. Activate Emergency Response If you are alone and the collapse was unwitnessed: Perform 2 minutes of CPR before calling emergency services. If you are not alone, send someone to activate the emergency response system and retrieve an AED immediately. If alone and unable to call EMS, Perform 2 minutes of CPR before leaving the scene to call EMS. Send someone to activate the emergency response system and retrieve an AED immediately. 4. Assess Breathing and Pulse Breathing: Look for normal breathing (not gasping). Pulse: Check the brachial pulse in infants or carotid/femoral pulse in children for no more than 10 seconds.

Answer 27

If there is no breathing or only gasping and no pulse (or a pulse less than 60 bpm with signs of poor perfusion), start CPR immediately. Chest Compressions: Infants: Use two fingers in the center of the chest, just below the nipple line. Children: Use one or two hands (depending on the child’s size) on the sternum’s lower half. Compression Depth: At least one-third the depth of the chest (about 1.5 inches/4 cm for infants, 2 inches/5 cm for children). Rate: 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Allow full chest recoil after each compression. Ventilations: Open the airway using the head-tilt-chin-lift method. Give two breaths after every 30 compressions if you’re alone or after every 15 compressions if there are two rescuers. Each breath should last about 1 second, making the chest rise visibly.

Answer 28

6. Use of AED Attach the AED as soon as it is available. Pediatric Pads: Use if the child is less than eight years old. If Pediatric Pads Are Unavailable: Use adult pads, ensuring they do not touch each other. Follow the AED prompts and deliver shocks if advised. 7. Continue CPR Resume CPR immediately after the AED delivers a shock or if no shock is advised. Rotate compressors every 2 minutes to prevent fatigue

Answer 29

If masks are available, they should be used in children as in adults; however, you must ensure the mask is the correct size for the child. The mask should cover the child’s mouth and nose without covering the eyes or chin. You will not be able to get a good seal with a mask that is too big. As with an adult, use the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver to open the child’s airway. Each breath should last one second and should cause the child’s chest to rise. As with an adult, avoid giving breaths too quickly, as this may result in distention of the stomach, vomiting, and possible aspiration of stomach contents.

Answer 30

Child Ventilation Algorithm 💕Proper position In the absence of neck injury,tilt forehead back and lift chin. ⏬⏬⏬ 💕Tight seal Use E-C clamp Formed by fingers and thumb over the mask ⏬⏬⏬ 💕 ventilate Squeeze bag over one sec until the chest rise. Do not overventilate.

Answer 31

: 💕Check the pulse in the infant using the brachial artery on the inside of the upper arm between the infant’s elbow and shoulder. (Figure 11a) 💕During CPR, compressions can be performed on an infant using two fingers (Figure 11b), if only one rescuer; or with two thumb-encircling hands (Figure 11c), if there are two rescuers and the rescuer’s hands are big enough to go around the infant’s chest. 💕Compression depth should be one-third of the chest depth; for most infants, this is about 1.5 inches (4cm). 💕If you are the only rescuer at the scene and find an unresponsive infant, perform CPR for two minutes before calling 911/EMS or using an AED. 💕In infants, primary cardiac events are not common. Usually, cardiac arrest will be preceded by respiratory problems . Survival rates improve when you intervene with respiratory problems as early as possible . Remember that prevention is the first step in the Pediatric Chain of Survival. 💕If you witness a cardiac arrest in an infant, call 911/EMS and get an AED as you would in the BLS sequence for adults or children.

Answer 32

💕1. Tap the heel of their foot and talk loudly at the infant to determine if they are responsive. 💕2.If the infant does not respond, have the second rescuer call 911/EMS and get an AED. (The ILCOR emphasizes that cell phones are available everywhere now and most have a built-in speakerphone, so you can call while at the scene.) 💕3.Assess if they are breathing (Figure 11d) while simultaneously checking for the infant’s brachial pulse for 5 but no more than 10 seconds (Figure 11e). If the infant does not respond and is not breathing (only gasping), yell for help. 💕4.If you cannot feel a pulse (or if you are unsure), begin CPR by doing 30 compressions followed by two breaths. If you can feel a pulse but the rate is less than 60 beats per minute, begin CPR. This rate is too slow for an infant. To perform CPR on an infant, do the following: 🎉 Be sure the infant is face-up on a hard surface. 🎉Using two fingers, perform compressions in the center of the infant’s chest (Figure 11f); do not press on the end of the sternum as this can cause injury to the infant. 🎉Compression depth should be about 1.5 inches (4 cm) and 100-120 compressions. 💕5. Perform CPR for about two minutes (using cycles of 30 compressions and two breaths). If help has not arrived, call 911/EMS and get an AED. 💕6.Use and follow AED prompts when available while continuing CPR until EMS arrives or until the infant’s condition normalizes.

Answer 33

: 1. Tap the bottom of their foot and talk loudly at the infant to determine if they are responsive. 2. If the infant does not respond, have the second rescuer call 911/EMS, and get an AED. ( The ILCOR emphasizes that cell phones are available everywhere now and most have a built-in speakerphone, so you can call while at the scene.) 3 Assess if they are breathing. Feel for the infant’s brachial pulse for 5 but no more than 10 seconds. 4. If you cannot feel a pulse (or if you are unsure), begin CPR by doing 15 compressions followed by two breaths. If you can feel a pulse but the rate is less than 60 beats per minute, begin CPR. This rate is too slow for an infant. 5. When the second rescuer returns, begin CPR by performing 15 compressions by one rescuer and two breaths by the second rescuer. If the second rescuer can fit their hands around the infant’s chest, perform CPR using the two thumb-encircling hands method (Figure 11g). Do not press on the bottom end of the sternum as this can cause injury to the infant. 6. Compressions should be approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm) deep and at a rate of at least 100-120 per minute. 7. Use and follow AED prompts when available while continuing CPR until EMS arrives or until the infant’s condition normalizes

Answer 34

An AED can be used on children and infants and should be used as early as possible for the best chance of improving the chance of survival. Check the AED when it arrives at the scene. Pediatric pads should be used if the person is less than eight years old or less than 55 pounds (25 kg). Standard (adult) pads may be used if pediatric pads are not available. If using standard (adult) pads, do not let the pads touch. For infants less than a year old, a manual defibrillator should be used if available . If a manual defibrillator is not available, an AED may be used. Some AEDs have a switch that can be set to deliver a pediatric shock. If available, turn the switch on when using on children younger than eight years old. If the AED cannot deliver a pediatric shock, an adult shock should be given. It is important to remember an electric shock may be the treatment for a fatal heart rhythm.

Answer 35

1.Retrieve the AED (Figure 12a). Open the case. Turn on the AED. 2. Expose the person’s chest (Figure 12b). If wet, dry the chest. Remove any medication patches. 3. Open the Pediatric AED pads (Figure 12c). Peel off backing. Check for pacemaker or implanted defibrillator. 4. Apply the pads (Figure 12d). 💕Apply one pad on the upper right chest above the breast. For infants, apply on the front of the chest. 💕Apply the second pad on the lower left chest below the armpit. 💕For infants, apply a second pad to the back (Figure 12e). 5. Ensure wires are attached to the AED box (Figure 12f).

Answer 36

6 . Move away from the child (Figure 12g). Stop CPR. Instruct others not to touch the child. 7. Let AED analyze the rhythm. 8. If the AED message reads “Check Electrodes,” then: Ensure electrodes make good contact (Figure 12f). 9. If the AED message reads “Shock”, then: Press and hold the flashing shock button until the shock is delivered. 10. Resume CPR for two minutes starting with chest compressions (Figure 12h). 11. Repeat steps 1-10.

Answer 37

Until an advanced airway is inserted, the rescue team should use mouth-to-mouth, mouth-to-mask, or bag-mask ventilation. An advanced airway ( supraglottic airway, laryngeal mask airway, or endotracheal tube) provides a more stable way of providing breaths and should, therefore, be inserted as early as possible in a resuscitation effort. Once an advanced airway is in place, the compression to breath ratio should be adjusted as noted below (Table 1).

Answer 38

COMPRESSION TO BREATH RATIO Adult NO ADVANCED AIRWAY- 30 compressions followed by two breaths ADVANCED AIRWAY- One breath every 6seconds without pauses in compressions Child/Infant NO ADVANCED AIRWAY- 30 compressions followed by two breaths for one rescuer 15 compressions followed by two breaths for two rescuer ADVANCED AIRWAY- One breath every 6 seconds without pauses in compressions One breath every 2-3 seconds (20-30 breaths per minute

Answer 39

When a pocket mask or bag-mask is not available, it may be necessary to give mouth-to-mouth breaths during CPR. Mouth-to-mouth breathing is very effective in delivering oxygen into the person’s lungs without putting the rescuer at a high level of risk. The rescuer’s exhaled air contains approximately 17% oxygen and 4% carbon dioxide. This is in contrast to the 100% oxygen available with ventilation with 100% high flow oxygen and the 21% oxygen that is available in room air that we breathe

Answer 40

When performing rescue breathing on an infant, the rescuer should cover the infant’s mouth and nose when possible and do the following: 1. Open the airway using the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver. Be sure not to hyper-extend the neck. Aim for a neutral position (Figure 14a). 2. Create a seal using your lips to surround the infant’s nose and mouth (Figure 14b). 3. Gently blow into the infant’s nose and mouth for one second (Figure 14c). Keep in mind that an infant’s lungs are smaller than an adult’s and need a smaller volume of air. Watch for the infant’s chest to rise. If you cannot see the chest rise, re-adjust the tilt of their head. 4. Give an additional breath and watch for the infant’s chest to rise. If unable to cover both mouth and nose entirely with your mouth, use the following method for rescue breathing: 🎉 Open the airway using the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver. 🎉 Pinch the infant’s nose closed. 🎉 Create a seal using your lips to surround the infant’s mouth. Gently blow into the infant’s mouth for one second. Give an additional breath and watch for the chest to rise.

Answer 41

Do not give breaths too rapidly or too forcefully. Doing this may cause air to be forced into the stomach, resulting in distention and less room for lung expansion. It may also cause vomiting. To deliver mouth-to-mouth breaths, do the following: 1. Open the airway using the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver (Figure 13a). 2. Pinch the person’s nose closed with your hand on the person’s head (Figure 13b). 3. Create a seal when using your lips to surround the person’s mouth (Figure 13c). 4. Blow into the person’s mouth for one full second and watch for chest to rise (Figure 13d). Tilt the victim’s head further back if the chest does not rise. 5. Give an additional breath for over one second. 6. If you cannot see the chest rise in two breaths, continue giving chest compressions.

Answer 42

In many cases, cardiac arrest is preceded by respiratory arrest. Therefore, it is important to be able to recognize respiratory issues in order to take steps to prevent cardiac arrest

Answer 43

AGE GROUP Adult Every 6 seconds 10 to 12 breaths per minute Each breath should last one second Check for chest rise and breathing; Check pulse and begin CPR if necessary

Answer 44

Child/Infant One rescuer: Every 6 seconds One rescuer: 10 to 12 breaths per minute Each breath should last one second Check for chest rise and breathing; Check pulse and begin CPR if necessary 2 rescuers Two rescuers: Every 2 to 3 seconds Two rescuers: 20 to 30 breaths per minute Each breath should last one second Check for chest rise and breathing; Check pulse and begin CPR if necessary

Answer 45

Choking is a common preventable cause of cardiac arrest. The correct response for a choking person depends on the degree of airway obstruction, whether the person is responsive or not, and the age of the person.

Answer 46

Breathing but may also be wheezing Coughing and making noise Rescuers action- Stay with the person, try to keep them calm Encourage them to cough Call 911/EMS if the person seems to be getting worse

Answer 47

Clutching the neck (universal sign of choking; Figure 15). Weak or no cough Unable to make noise or talk; may make high-pitched noise Little or no breathing Appears cyanotic (blue around lips and fingertips) Rescuers response Use abdominal thrusts to attempt to remove obstruction Call 911/EMS Begin BLS if the person becomes unresponsive

Answer 48

These steps should only be used when a person is responsive and older than one year of age. To properly perform the abdominal thrusts, do the following: 1. Stand behind the responsive person. Wrap your arms around their waist under their ribcage. 2. Put the side of your fist above the person’s navel in the middle of their belly. Do not press on the lower part of the sternum (Figure 16a). 3. With your other hand, hold the first fist and press forcefully into the person’s abdomen and up toward their chest (Figure 16b and 16c). 4. Continue performing these thrusts until the obstruction is relieved or until the person becomes unresponsive. If you can see a foreign object in the individual’s mouth and can easily remove it, then do it. Watch and feel for breathing to begin. If the individual does not begin breathing, continue to provide CPR and rescue breaths until help arrives.

Answer 49

Mild Obstruction Breathing but may also be wheezing May be coughing and making noise Rescuers action Stay with the infant, try to keep them calm Do not do a blind finger sweep Call 911/EMS if infant does not quickly clear the obstruction

Answer 50

Severe Obstruction Weak or no cough Unable to make noise; may make high-pitched noise Little or no breathing Appears cyanotic (blue around lips and fingertips Rescuers action Use back blows/chest thrusts to attempt to remove obstruction Call 911/EMS Begin BLS if the infant becomes unresponsive Assess if obstruction is visible; if so, remove it

Answer 51

In a choking but responsive infant less than one-year-old, back blows and chest thrusts are used instead of abdominal thrusts. See Table 4 for rescue actions for choking in infants. To provide back blows and chest thrusts, do the following: 1. Hold the infant in your lap. 2. Put the infant with their face down and their head lower than their chest; they should be resting on your forearm. Put your forearm on your thigh (Figure 17a). 3. Support the infant’s head and neck with your hand and be sure to avoid putting pressure on their throat. 4. Using the heel of your free hand, deliver five back blows between the infant’s shoulder blades (Figure 17b). 5. Using both hands and arms, turn the infant face up so they are now resting on your other arm; this arm should now be resting on your thigh (Figure 17c). 6. Make sure the infant’s head is lower than their chest. 7. Using the fingers of your free hand, provide up to five quick downward chest thrusts over the lower half of the breastbone (Figure 17d). Perform one thrust every second. 8. If the obstruction is not relieved, turn the infant face down on your other forearm and repeat the process (Figure 17b). 9. Continue doing these steps until the infant begins to breathe or becomes unresponsive