As research continues by various health organizations in the best ways to increase the survival rate of people who suffer heart attacks outside of a medical facility, the CPR guidelines also change. Experts agree that it is certainly better to do something rather than nothing at all while waiting for an emergency response team to arrive after someone’s heart has stopped beating.  Shortly after a heart stops, blood ceases to flow to vital parts of our body and severe brain damage and death can occur very quickly. With only about a 10% (or less) survival rate in people who suffer heart attacks while not in the hospital, it is vital that as many lay people as possible be able to administer CPR as soon after the heart attack as possible.

Old CPR Guidelines

Up until now the CPR guidelines recommended have been the A-B-C method which translated into first checking the victims airway followed by rescue breaths and then the start of chest compressions. This method delayed the start of chest compressions which is essential for maintaining the flow of blood.

New CPR Guidelines

The new CPR guidelines have reversed this order and now advise us to follow the C-A-B procedure for anyone whose heart has stopped. Having people begin with chest compressions is easier to remember which makes it more likely for even the untrained to administer a procedure that could very well save the person’s life. The reasoning behind this is that without the proper training it is difficult to give effective mouth-to-mouth breaths but almost anyone can do simple chest compressions. Very often, a person whose heart has stopped will still have a small amount of oxygen in their blood and lungs and chest compressions can certainly take advantage of such a situation. The procedures to follow using the new CPR guidelines are:

  1. Call 911 yourself if you are alone, or if possible have someone else call. The only exceptions to calling for help first are in the case of a newborn or someone who is a victim of drowning and is unresponsive.
  2. Check for responsiveness – if there is none, roll the person onto their back.
  3. Begin chest compressions.
    1. To do this place the heel of your hand on the center of the chest, put your other hand on top and interlace your fingers.
    2. You will need to compress the chest of an adult or child by at least 2 inches and 1.5 inches for an infant. This should be done at least 100 times per minute or a little faster if at all possible.
  4. If you have CPR training you would now tilt the head and lift the chin to open the airway and administer two rescue breaths. To do this you will:
    1. Pinch the victim’s nose closed, take a normal breath and cover the victim’s mouth with yours to create an airtight seal.
    2. Give two, one second breaths while you watch to see if the chest rises.

This procedure should be continued until the emergency response team arrives or until the victim’s heart resumes beating and they are breathing on their own.

CPR Training

CPR training gives people the skills they need to administer a life saving procedure to someone whose heart has stopped, while waiting for medical help to arrive. In almost all cases when you are the only one present on the scene you need to first check the victim for responsiveness then call 911 prior to beginning chest compressions. Continue Reading...

Online CPR Certification

For anyone who wants to learn the basics of life saving procedures but may not be able to attend regular first aid classes, online CPR certification courses are an ideal way to learn the steps involved in providing CPR to someone whose heart has stopped beating. Continue Reading...

First Aid Certification

Would you know what to do if you suddenly found your spouse or child unconscious in the backyard? Certainly, you would want to call your local emergency response team but what if there was something you could do to help save that precious life while waiting for help to arrive. Continue Reading...