Responding To Cardiac Arrest Flashcards
What does CPR stand for?
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
How should you respond to unconsciousness/unresponsiveness?
It is always a medical emergency, so you should call 999.
What is cardiac arrest?
When someone’s heart stops, causing them to become unconscious and stop breathing normally or at all.
What are the symptoms of cardiac arrest?
- Sudden collapse
- Becoming unconscious
- Becoming unresponsive
- Stopping breathing normally
What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest?
Heart attacks cause abnormal heart rhythms which can lead to a cardiac arrest.
What should you do if you discover in a primary survey that a casualty is unresponsive and has stopped breathing normally?
- Call 999, or get someone to call 999 - use speakerphone so hands are free
- If someone is with you, send them to find a defibrillator (if alone, do not leave casualty, but shout for help)
- Begin CPR
What might abnormal breathing look like?
- Not breathing
- Breathing very irregularly
- Gasping/laboured breathing
What type of CPR should you perform for each experience level/case?
If trained practically and feel confident:
- Compression with rescue breaths
If not trained practically:
- Just compression
If a child or infant is unresponsive, it may be worth prioritising rescue breaths - consult call handler
What ratio of breaths to compressions should you use?
30 compressions, 2 rescue breaths
How long should CPR be continued?
Until help arrives
How is child CPR different to adult CPR?
For young children, start by providing 5 rescue breaths
If there are definite signs of life (gag, cough, breathing), continue rescue breaths until they breathe normally for themself - if not, begin full CPR
For young children, use only one hand for chest compressions (and go about a third of the depth of the chest)
How is administering CPR to an infant different to an adult?
Perform five initial rescue breaths before beginning CPR (see advice for young children)
Use only 2 fingers for chest compressions
Use same ratio as for adults
When might you stop giving CPR?
- The casualty starts breathing on their own
- The casualty becomes responsive and shows obvious signs of recovery
- You become physically exhausted and cannot carry on
- Emergency medical help arrives and takes over
- Carry on chest compressions even if you have to stop rescue breaths
What should you do if a casualty vomits during CPR?
Roll them briefly on their side to allow vomit to drain, then resume CPR
What is the purpose of CPR?
To pump blood and oxygen around the body and therefore keep a casualty alive until emergency services take over (note, not usually to revive).