Fullwood 1 Taylor Fullwood Mrs.

Hensel English III 20 November 2013 CPR Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique useful in many emergencies, such as heart attack or near drowning (Mayo Clinic). Cardio is referred to the heart and pulmonary is referred to the lungs (International 48). Knowing how to properly perform CPR could help save someones life. CPR is initiated when the victim has no pulse or respirations. There are approximately 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year, however only 6% survive (Carter). The basic steps are followed by the acronym C -A-B, which stands for checking for circulation, clearing the airway, and breathing for the person. Before performing this lifesaving technique, check if the person is conscious or unconscious. This should be followed with a shake and shout, if no response, have someone call 911, and then begin the procedure. Always begin by checking for the circulation. To do this place two fingers on the victims neck and check for the carotid pulse (International 39). Check for approximately ten seconds. If there is a pulse but the [victim] is not breathing adequately, open the airway and provide rescue breathing (1ventilation approximately every 5 seconds ) for two minutes, and then recheck the pulse (International 49). If the pulse is absent, the you should immediately initiate chest compressions. Chest compressions circulate blood and oxygen (Carter). Lay the victim on his or her back and kneel next to their neck and shoulders.

Fullwood 2 Place the heel of one hand on the [breastbone] and the other hand on the top of the first hand. Keep your elbows straight with your shoulders above your hands (Mayo Clinic). Use your upper body weight to compress the chest at least 2 inches, let the chest rise completely and count the 30 chest compressions quickly (Mayo Clinic). When doing compressions, you should push hard, fast, and in the center of the chest (Cronan). Once youve performed the 30 chest compressions, open the persons airway using the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver (Mayo Clinic). To perform this maneuver, you need to place your palm on the victims forehead. At the same time, with your other hand, use two fingers to gently lift his or her chin (Mayo Clinic). The airway should now be open. Look for chest motions, listen for normal breath sounds, and feel for the persons breath on your cheek and ear (Mayo Clinic). Gasping is not considered normal breathing. If normal breathing is absent begin rescue breathing, such as mouth-to-mouth. Someone performing rescue breathing essentially breathes for the victim by forcing air into their lungs (Cronan). This helps provide artificial breaths to someone who isnt breathing on their own. With the airway open (using the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver) pinch the nostrils shut for mouthto-mouth breathing and covering the persons mouth with yours making a seal (Mayo Clinic). Give two rescue breaths and make sure the chest rises. Follow this with thirty chest compressions, which will complete one cycle of CPR. Continue this cycle until your victim recovers or help arrives (Mayo Clinic). Permanent brain damage or death can occur when a victim is without oxygen for eight minutes (Cronan). Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a combination of rescue breathing and chest compressions, which is initiated when the pulse and respirations are absent. The procedure is

Fullwood 3 most effective when its started as quickly as possible (Cronan). Once it is determined that there is no pulse or respirations, you should begin a cycle of thirty chest compressions and two rescue breaths. Always spell C-A-B for guidance on the order to perform CPR. Remember, the difference between your doing something and doing nothing could be someones life (Mayo Clinic).

Fullwood 4 Works Cited Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. Carter, Matthew. 24 Sep. 2012. Web. 18 Sep. 2013 CPR. Kids health. Cronan, Kate. March 2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): First Aid. Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 13 July 2013. Web. 11 Sep. 2013. Ellis & Associates. International Lifeguard Training Program. Massachusettes: Jones and Bartlettes, 2007. Print.