This article highlights amendments that have been made in how CPR techniques are administered following improvements in the ILCOR guidelines. Initially, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, abbreviated CPR, was accomplished by following the steps outlined in the acronym A-B-C which stands for airway, breathing, compressions. This has now been changed to C-A-B, which is basically an alteration of the same acronym for reasons which will be outlined below. As such, the procedure with the new guidelines means that the first aider will give compressions first, open the airway and lastly breathe for the patient prior to repeating the cycle. To learn and get certified in the latest techniques in CPR enrol with one of our first aid and CPR training providers.
The whole idea of altering the procedure revolves around the fact that it is easier to remember the procedure if one starts with compressions to the chest area. In many cases, this one of the three CPR techniques can save a life where time is of the essence. With the former procedure, it was discovered that the checking of both the airways and breathing in the victim was causing significant delays in the provision of chest compressions, yet this was vital for the proper circulation of blood, and could make the difference between life and death.
In fact, with the amendments, more people may be inclined to get trained in CPR techniques. What’s more, it is relatively easy for an untrained person to administer chest compressions as opposed to giving mouth-to-mouth first aid. Chest compressions provided in the right way help save lives even in critical cases, bearing in mind that there is usually some amount of oxygen retained in the patient’s blood and lungs. By taking advantage of this oxygen, doing chest compressions first is better than the former procedure that incorporated A-B-C.
Below are the procedures required for CPR techniques using the new method:
1) Check the scene for any dangers.
2) Try and see whether the person will respond when you talk to them. If this does not happen, roll them so that they are facing upwards.
3) Open the airway and check for breathing. If no breathing is present send someone to contact EMS and begin chest compressions.
4) Begin giving chest compressions by putting the heel of your hand at the mid-point of the patient’s chest, and your other hand atop the first hand.
5) Press down firmly about 2 inches in, aiming to perform these as many as 50 times every thirty seconds.
6) If you are well trained in CPR techniques, open the airways and lift the chin. At this point some individuals will prefer hands-only CPR especially if they are not fully trained, or are not confident in their skills.
7) Close the victim’s nose by pinching gently then inhale normally and give the victim breaths, looking to see whether their chest rises. Ensure that you fully cover the victim’s mouth with yours as you do this.
8) Carry on with the chest compressions and resuscitation until professional medical help is at hand.
If no barrier devices are available for resuscitation you can try to provide compression only CPR.