CPR and AEDs are both important skills to have in case of an emergency, but they can be difficult to learn. Even if you’ve been trained as an EMT or nurse, there’s still a lot of information out there that can help you better understand how each device works. The first aid course Brisbane can be a great help in gaining the right information.
In this article, we’ll go over what CPR is and why it’s important; then, we’ll show you how to perform CPR on yourself or another person in case they need it.
How to perform CPR on an adult
To perform CPR on an adult, follow these steps:
- Check for breathing and pulse. If you can’t see or hear a person’s breath or heartbeat, start chest compressions immediately. As mentioned in every first aid course Brisbane if you do find a heartbeat, continue with chest compressions until help arrives or the victim starts breathing again.
- Do breaths every 5 compressions to keep blood flowing through the heart muscle so that it can pump oxygenated blood throughout the body efficiently (and rapidly). This is called “compress-ventilation” — one of our most basic life functions!
How and when to use an AED
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a machine that can save lives by providing CPR and first aid in case of cardiac arrest. An AED can be used on adults and children, though it’s recommended that the person receiving treatment be less than 12 years old.
The AED will detect when a person is unresponsive, not breathing and has no pulse. It will then automatically start CPR with chest compressions before sending an electrical shock through its pads to restore normal heart rhythm.
The victim should be transported to an emergency room as soon as possible after being treated by the device so doctors can monitor their condition further if necessary.
CPR on a Child
In the case of a child, the head should be tilted back, and two fingers placed on the sternum. Use the heel of your hand to compress the chest at 100 per minute. Give two breaths for every 30 compressions, then check again for breathing.
Quick action and following directions from emergency personnel can save lives
The key to keeping your child alive is to perform CPR and use an AED immediately. Here are the steps you should take when your child has stopped breathing:
- Check their airway by tilting their head back slightly, lifting them up on both sides of their chest, and then pressing lightly on the bottom of their sternum (the middle bone in your rib cage). If there are no breath sounds at all, begin CPR immediately!
- Place two fingers under each arm for support while performing chest compressions—this will help keep blood circulating through his entire body faster than if he were lying flat and unable to move freely during this process (which could cause serious injury).
Well, that’s it!
Remember to practice with a friend first before performing CPR on an actual person. You can’t be ready if you don’t know what to do. Try practising until you are comfortable with it.
There are many ways that are taught in the first aid course Brisbane to perform CPR and use an AED, but for now, just keep in mind these four steps: First, start chest compressions at a rate of 100 per minute; second, check for airway obstruction; third, provide rescue breathing if needed; fourth (and finally), defibrillate using the pads on both sides of the device when necessary.
And remember, survival is possible every time someone does CPR! Stay safe out there and stay vigilant about your surroundings as well as who comes into contact with you during this process; because even though this knowledge might seem like common sense to some people who have never been taught how to perform CPR before or used an AED before – still sometimes these things happen when least expected.
