Overview
This lecture reviewed essential CPR knowledge for adults, children, and infants, focusing on assessment steps, compression technique, rescue breathing, AED use, and emergency scene safety.
Adult CPR Basics
- For an unresponsive adult with no pulse, call 911 immediately before starting CPR.
- Begin chest compressions within 10 seconds of identifying cardiac arrest.
- Either perform chest compressions only or combine compressions with rescue breaths if willing and able.
- Compression depth should be 2 to 2.4 inches for average adults, or 1/3 the chest depth for larger individuals.
- Compress at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.
Child & Infant CPR
- If an unwitnessed arrest occurs in a child or infant, start with 2 minutes of CPR before calling 911.
- Compression depth: children—2 inches; infants—1.5 inches or 1/3 the chest depth.
- Use two fingers for infant compressions.
- For two-rescuer CPR, use a 15:2 compression-to-breath ratio for children and infants; single rescuer uses 30:2.
Rescue Breathing & Advanced Airways
- Deliver each rescue breath over 1 second with visible chest rise.
- For a patient with an advanced airway, give 1 breath every 6 seconds (about 10-12 breaths per minute), no pause for compressions.
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
- Turn on the AED first and follow spoken prompts.
- Attach pads and allow the AED to analyze the rhythm without touching the patient.
- Only shock if a shockable rhythm (ventricular fibrillation or pulseless VT) is detected; asystole is not shockable.
CPR Technique & Special Scenarios
- Allow full chest recoil between compressions to enable heart refilling.
- Minimize compression interruptions to under 10 seconds.
- If a choking infant becomes unresponsive, start CPR and check the mouth for visible objects before breaths.
- In emergencies, ensure scene safety before approaching and assisting.
Recovery Position After Resuscitation
- Place breathing patients in a lateral position, head supported, with no chest pressure, to maintain an open airway and prevent aspiration.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Cardiac Arrest — Heart stops pumping blood effectively due to abnormal rhythm or asystole.
- Compression-only CPR — CPR using only chest compressions, no rescue breaths.
- AED (Automated External Defibrillator) — A device that delivers an electrical shock to try to restore normal heart rhythm.
- Asystole — Flatline; absence of electrical activity in the heart, not shockable.
- Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) — Disorganized heart rhythm, shockable.
- Recovery Position — Lying on the side with head supported, used to maintain airway after resuscitation.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Prepare for next session: review infection control material before the upcoming lecture.
- Review CPR ratios and depth for adults, children, and infants.
- Practice and memorize AED operation steps and emergency scene safety protocols.