Resuscitation

The difference between life and death in an emergency may depend on the delivery of prompt resuscitation. Resuscitation includes expired air resuscitation (EAR) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Resuscitation

An important acronym to remember is DRABCD. The DRABCD sequence applies to any medical emergency:

- Danger - check for danger to self, casualty or others

- Response - Check for response of the casualty by squeezing the casualty’s shoulders and/or asking the casualty’s name.

- Airway - Inspect for foreign material in the casualty’s mouth that may obstruct breathing

- Breathing - Can you see the chest rising and falling; can you hear the casualty’s breathing; can you feel the casualty’s breathing? If not breathing call an ambulance.

- Circulation - check for pulse. If a pulse is present and casualty not breathing, commence EAR.

- Defibrillation - Connect defibrillator and follow prompts. If a defibrillator is not available, commence CPR.

The rate of compressions to breaths for CPR is 30:2. Compressions should be performed by:

 Kneeling by the side of the casualty

 Placing the heel of one hand in the centre of the casualty’s chest

 Placing the heel of the other hand on the top of the first hand and interlock the fingers of the hands

 Position yourself directly above the casualty’s chest and with your arms straight, press down on the sternum 1/3 depth of the chest

 Release the pressure on the chest without losing contact between the hands and the chest

 Give 30 compressions at a rate of 100 compressions per minute.

The procedure for EAR should be:

 Place your hand on the casualty’s forehead the other hand beneath the casualty’s neck and gently tilt the head back to open the airway

 Place your fingertips beneath the point of the casualty’s chin and lift the chin to open the airway

 Allow the mouth to open while maintaining chin lift

 Take a normal breath to fill your lungs with oxygen and place your lips around the casualty’s mouth making sure a good seal is formed

The most desirable method of rescue breaths is via mask as it lessens the risk of cross-infection.

 Blow steadily into the casualty’s mouth while watching the chest rise

 Maintaining head tilt and chin lift, take your mouth away from the casualty and watch the chest fall

 Repeat the sequence giving two effective breaths

 Stop to recheck the casualty only if they start breathing normally, otherwise do not interrupt resuscitation.