12 Dec How to perform CPR – on adults, children, and babies

You should be trained in CPR before administering it to someone. However, the overall strategy has changed over the years. Now, if there are no trained personnel around to administer CPR to save someone’s life, doing it as an untrained individual is infinitely preferable to not doing it. Remember, though, that being trained is much better than not.

What to Do-

CPR for Adults

The first thing you need to do is to check the area around the person needing CPR. Examine it for safety hazards. After all, it’ll do no good for you to try to give CPR if there’s a live high-tension wire on the ground. Call 911, if possible, or have someone else make the call. If it’s impossible to call and/or no one is around, then begin CPR. Approach and kneel to the side of the person.

Find the bottom of the sternum and place the tips of two fingers flat on it. The lowest edge of your fingers should align with the sternum’s bottom. Place the heel of one hand directly above your fingers and then the other hand on top of it. This is called “landmarking.” Interlace your fingers, lock your elbows, and begin compressions at roughly 100-120 per minute. Every 30 compressions, stop, give two breaths, and check for pulse and breathing. Take no more than 10 seconds to do this. Repeat this procedure until the person recovers, someone comes to help, you can no longer continue because of exhaustion, or a medical professional arrives and directs you to stop CPR.

CPR for Children Older than Babies

If you can fit both hands on the child’s chest, proceed as you would with an adult. For all other children older than 1 year of age, use one finger to landmarks instead of two and only one arm to do the compressions. The rate of compressions and breaths is the same.

CPR for Babies

Again, use one finger to landmark and begin compressions. It’s still 30 compressions and two breaths, but the depth of the compressions is far less than it is even for small children.

In all cases, if it’s not possible to give breaths, then doing compressions without breaths can still save the person’s life. Acting quickly, safely, and decisively is key to saving the person.

Using an Automated External Defibrillator

As part of all Los Angeles Corporate Safety Training, at least one person per building, preferably more, should learn how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). As with CPR, however, it is not 100% necessary to have Los Angeles employee safety training to use an AED safely and effectively. Most modern versions of these devices have recorded instructions for use.

Follow the instructions, and place the pads on the person’s chest without letting them touch each other. The two pads should be under the right collarbone and the left armpit. The AED should have pictures of where to put them. Don’t touch the person when administering the shocks or let anyone else feel the person. You can use an AED with adults and children who are at least 8. For children aged 1 to 7 years of age, you’ll need a pediatric AED. Don’t use an AED on an infant.

To find a CPR and/or AED class, contact us today.